Get a GripEngineering a low-budget prosthetic arm

Cary BusbyEpiscopal School of Knoxville

8th Grade Engineering CurriculumEngineering

Methods vs. Scientific Methods

Importance of Iterations (a.k.a. Failures)

Importance of Communication skills

www.sciencebuddies.com

Two engineering projectsLow-Tech: the

Prosthetic ArmHigh-Tech: the

Lego Robots

Get a GripDeveloped at Northwestern

Universityhttp://www.ideanet.org/get-a-grip

/Start-up cost: about $20 per

groupMaintenance cost: less than $5

per groupTime: 5-7 class periodsGroups of 3 students, with similar

abilities within the group.

The ScenarioAfghani girl lost her hand to a

land mine.Compare culture in Afghanistan

to culture in the United States.Examine state-of-the art

prosthetic devices.Design a prosthetic hand for her:

◦Must be able to carry a bucket of water.

◦Must be able to eat dinner by herself.

More SpecificationsIndependence – put on alone.Flexibility – either or both hands

lost.Comfort – so she can play with

her friends.Cost – Use materials that would

be available in a small village.Client has no hand or wrist

motion, but is able-bodied otherwise.

Materials

ToolboxRechargeable drill and bitsHacksawAwlPliersNeedle-nose PliersGood scissorsClampsWire cutters

Grading the projectEngineering Work:

◦ Listening & working together (20 points)◦ Staying on task (20 points)◦ Good use of materials (20 points)◦ Documentation/Reflection (20 points)

Accomplishing the Tasks:◦ Carrying water (5 points)◦ Eating olives (5 points)

Innovations:◦ Creative design◦ Moving parts◦ (10 points possible)

What problem could your classes solve?

Thank you!

Cary Busbybusby@esknoxville.org@ESKSci