STEM Day: Prosthetic Devices
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We gathered to watch a video about a dog named Derby who had a birth defect and needed prosthetics for his front paws. We learned about the four criteria for a successful prosthetic: durability, function, attachment, and comfort. Derby's prosthetics have continued to develop as he has continued to grow. See the video for an update.
We also read about a village that created a prosthetic device for an elephant with a damaged leg. We compared and contrasted the very different needs of these two animals. Before we began our project, we watched a presentation by Mrs. Morris about her work as a nurse. She showed us implant prosthetics for human knees and hips. She shared with us her experiences on many mission trips to help people with birth defects and diseases receive these devices and improve their lives. |
Our project goal was to consider the criteria for prosthetics and to approximate a model which would meet those needs. We used basic materials like duct tape, cardboard, tubes, rubber bands, plastic string, felt, and other improvised materials to explore these concepts. When we finished our build, each group tested and evaluated their work.