In preparation for the ENGI 120 class the faculty advisers along with the Apprentice Leaders scoped and selected design projects. We selected three campus projects and three Shriners hospital projects to pitch to the students. However, only four projects would be selected and implemented. The projects that were pitched are as follows:
Rice Projects
- OEDK Green Roof Moisture Detection Project – The goal of this project is to design and build an efficient moisture detection system that ties into controlling the irrigation system for the green roof and will allow the plants on it to thrive using the minimum amount of water.
- Surrey Adaptation Project – The goal of this project is to design additional storage capacity for the surrey and make other enhancements or modification as recommended by FE&P.
- Dish Drop project – The goal of this project is to assess the dish drops at the eleven residential colleges, design improvements for the two slowest and most congested dish drops, and design an ideal dish drop configuration for future serveries.
Shriner’s Projects
- Walk Upright Prompter – The goal of this project is to develop a device that would alert a child when he/she is no longer standing upright
- Forearm Rotation Measurement – To develop a method and required materials to accurately and consistently measure the range of rotation of the forearm (radius and ulna) relative to the upper arm (humerus).
- Wheelchair Propulsion System for Users with Arm Disabilities – The goal of this project is to develop an adaptation that allows a patient to use his/her existing range of motion and strength to propel both sides of a non-motorized wheelchair
After we selected these viable design projects before Christmas break, we had to prepare project pitches for the ENGI 120 students. Each Apprentice leader was in charge of pitching one project. To prepare us for this potentially nerve-racking task, the Faculty Advisers brought in Tracy Volz, the communication specialist, to coach us on our presenting skills. During our practice pitches Dr. Volz and the other faculty advisers offered constructive criticism. Dr. Volz caught everything down to cracking knuckles, defensively standing in with your arms crossed, and even slide aesthetics.
When the first day of ENGI 120 came and it was time to pitch the projects, all of the Apprentice Leaders did a great job. All of the work, practice, and constructive criticism resulted in a great first impression of the Apprentice Leaders and the freshmen were very excited about the project options. Despite that the project pitches went past the ending time of the class, the freshman seemed to stick with us and stay engaged. The transition between Dr. Saterbak lecturing and the Apprentice Leaders presenting could have been a little tighter, but overall the first day went very well.
Tags: Forearm, OEDK, Surrey, Wheelchair