Make a bionic enhancement
Humans are extremely clever and can do wonderful things, but have you ever considered how our amazing bodies could be enhanced with bionics? Now is your chance!
Subjects
STEAM, Science, Design and Technologies
Objectives
Preparation
Materials
Makedo Invent Kit
Upcycled cardboard
Resource: Design Thinking Process
Activity
The STEAM Challenge
Pose the following scenario:
Have you ever thought having an extra hand or finger might be useful? What about a tail to keep you balanced as you climb and jump? A pouch to carry all your things?
Bionics is the design of artificial systems inspired by living organisms. Using nature to guide you and armed with your Makedo tools and connectors plus upcycled cardboard, design and create a bionic enhancement to make an everyday task easier or enable you to do extraordinary things.
Your Goal
Use Makedo tools and connectors and upcycled cardboard to create a bionic enhancement.
Your Role
You are an engineer looking to help improve the design and function of humans.
Your Audience
People who want to make life easier or push the boundaries of what their body can do.
The Scenario
Humans and animals are evolving all the time, what will be the next step?
The Product
The product will be a functioning enhancement of a body part or addition to the body.
Reflection
Journal Prompts
What aspects of your design are you most pleased with?
Were there similarities between the designs that were most effective? What were they?
What was difficult about this challenge? Did anything surprise you?
How would you improve your design if you embarked on this challenge again?
Extension
Take It Further
Design your bionic enhancement to work without you needing to use your body to control it.
Add robotics or technology to take your design to a new level.
Use programming in your design so that it can think for itself.