Lending a Hand: Teaching Forces through Assistive Device Design
Students learn about how biomedical engineers create assistive devices for persons with fine motor skill disabilities. They learn about types of forces, balanced and unbalanced forces, and the relationship between form and function, as well as the structure of the hand. They do this by designing, building and testing their own hand "gripper" prototypes that are able to grasp and lift a 200 ml cup of sand.
Copyright 2015 Kelly Cox, science teacher, Holy Name Central Catholic Jr. Sr. High School, Worcester MA
Biomedical engineers use their knowledge of biology, physics, math and technology to create biomechanical devices. Biomedical engineers create assistive hand devices by researching the anatomy, form and function of the hand and the necessary responses and movement required for performing basic and advanced functions (such as rotating the hand vs. the gripping of an object). In considering the qualities of the materials that can be used for the specified functions, students subsequently practice the skill of designing and testing prototypes within constraints—all essential aspects of engineering.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain how the engineering design process steps are conducted during each class.
- Generate questions for client/user to focus on a problem statement.
- Describe the interaction of forces acting on the prototype during testing periods.
- Apply the EDP in creating prototype devices to aid children in holding a cup of sand, and test them for strength.