Mechatronics Workshop for Elementary School Outreach

In an attempt to engage a classroom of fifth-grade students in an engineering design experience, we took advantage of the prior experiences of a larger collaboration which demonstrated that these students gravitate towards projects which involve electronics while also providing an opportunity to help people. The field of assistive technology, which provides a means of achieving greater independence and standard of living through the integration of technology with the tasks of everyday life and work, served as a suitable application for the student's natural inclinations towards helping others. Supporting evidence was also found in the literature where it is argued that assistive technology is a field that provides a rich opportunity for students to engage with their peers, their community, and the world at large in a meaningful way. Further, the use of project-based design experiences has been shown to improve student engagement, use of divergent thinking, and teamwork skills.

Presented at the 2017 ASEE North Midwest Section Conference in Minneapolis, MN on 29 September 2017.

Transcript

1. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Mechatronics Workshop for Elementary School Outreach Devin R. Berg1, Meghan Donahue2, Matthew Wigdahl3, and Charis Collins3 1Engineering & Technology Department 2Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute University of Wisconsin – Stout 3Oaklawn Elementary School 29 September 2017 OK! #UMNASEE @devinberg
2. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Assistive Technology Design Local K-12 Outreach This work is a component of a larger collaboration. University Engineering Curriculum
3. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Students participating in assistive tech design can engage with peers, community, and broader world. ETECH-100 Impacts of Engineering • Required for all engineering students • General education course > open to entire campus • Collaborate with SVRI engineers and technologists
4. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Assistive technology in engineering education. Engineering & Technology Department Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute
5. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Assistive technology provides greater independence and quality of life.
6. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Outreach allows us to take our work to the community and grow STEM. Bringing introductory mechatronics to the 5th grade.
7. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Students used storyboarding to plan their designs
8. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Electronic prototypes were made with the assistance of our volunteers.
9. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ While educating, we are having an impact! Assistive technology is about helping people • Child development • At home assistance • Workplace adaptation for persons with disabilities
10. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Student and Parent Feedback “I love that my 5th grader participated in learning about engineering that can help those with disabilities!” “I enjoyed the opportunity to help others.” “The project felt purposeful, had a real world application.”
11. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Looking to continue this work. Increasing the impact through increased intervention. • Classroom Arduino kits • Frequent classroom visits • Project report outs • Campus visits
12. ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Inspiring Innovation Learn more at www.uwstout.edu/et/ Thank you for your time! Acknowledgements Workshop Volunteers Meghan Donahue Landon Julson Pat Shoemaker Funding Stout University Foundation