EMPATHETIC ENGINEERING

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May 8, 2024

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here. 

Innovative course incorporates design thinking and Project Invent, an educational concept focused on developing products that directly affect the lives of those in the community with real-world needs.

At Notre Dame Prep, high school students are at the forefront of an initiative aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. Through a hands-on approach, they design, test and prototype innovative inventions tailored to meet specific accessibility needs. From simple yet effective solutions to complex assistive technologies, these young innovators demonstrate a commitment to practical problem-solving and inclusive design, showcasing the potential for impactful change within their community.

Now in its fourth year, NDP’s Engineering and Empathy class remains a popular option among high school science students. The curriculum is modeled after Project Invent, a nonprofit founded in 2016 to empower high school students to go out into their communities and invent technologies that make a difference.

According to class instructor Louise Palardy, students are required to meet with a community partner and then conceptualize an impactful technological invention, business plan and marketing strategy.

This semester, students worked with Gary Miracle, a bilateral amputee and author of the book, “No More Bad Days.” They also met and interviewed Shelly Loose, president of Ms. Wheelchair America and a quadriplegic. After hearing their stories, the students conducted market research for five inventions:

·      Wheelchair lift pad - Designed to raise the wheelchair seat in the front while keeping the back in the same position. This allows for the user’s knees elevate higher, making a deeper crevice between the user’s stomach and legs so items placed on her/his lap won’t fall off.

·      Telescoping Arm - A motorized device designed to allow the user to easily access hard-to-reach items from a wheelchair.

·      Automated Resistance Glove – A breathable fabric motorized glove that helps an individual suffering with hand stiffness with more movement mobility.

·      Dog Step – A retractable flip-out step attached to the side of a wheelchair that allows dogs and small therapy animals to easily sit on their owners’ lap.

·      Power Pick - An elevator-like mechanism with a tray attached to the bottom. This device improves the ability of picking objects up from the ground for wheelchair users. With the use of the joystick attached to the wheelchair’s arm, the tray will move up and down while carrying objects to and from the user.

Matthew Wagner NDP’24 said working on the wheelchair lift pad was an eye-opening experience.

“We often take things for granted that others cannot do daily. If we can help them, why shouldn’t we?” he said.

Wagner’s brother Nick Wagner NDP’20 also participated in the class in 2019 and helped to develop a mechanical glove to assist individuals suffering from fine motor skill disabilities.

“Nick was able to use the knowledge he gained in Mrs. Palardy’s class to give a real-world experience example when interviewing with ABB Engineering and they were quite impressed with what we’re doing here,” Wagner said.

 

 

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.