Ideation and Collaboration!

This week, we were really challenged mentally to come up with as many solutions to our problem as possible. Even the most far-fetched ideas were written down. We were encouraged to write down whatever came to mind. The solution just had to help decrease the time and/or the number of trips a person with a physical handicap (in this case someone without use of one arm) would take.

To help with this extensive thought process, we employed the three "Ideation" techniques: the Ideation Spectrum, SCAMPER, and the Phoenix Checklist. The Ideation Spectrum helped us come up with some of our most "super-optimal" solutions. We were able to come up with the most solutions from this method. I liked the super-optimal solution that my teammate Jon came up with. It was where the person would push a button and all the food options came up out of the table. The Phoenix checklist had an extensive list of thought-provoking but very specific questions that helped us generate more solutions. The SCAMPER method was tricky. But when we began to focus on combining some of our previous solutions, we were able to come up with more new ones.

Some of the ideas that I came up with that seemed to have potential were a belt that carries drinks and silverware. This could potentially decrease the number of  trips made. But it may be difficult to make that steady and reliable. I also thought of a tray that goes around a person's shoulders. The dining facility could offer a tray like this for individual use. Additionally, I thought of a prosthetic that was a ring that could hold drink cups and even hold bottles steady for opening condiments.

I look forward to continuing the prototyping process with my team and presenting our final solution to the class next week.

The Steps of Inspiration

Hi all! My name is Brandi. I am a junior Biology major at WNEU. I'm from a town just north of Boston. I would like to teach high school Biology in the future. I hope that this class gives me a break from my usual science courses while learning useful things like problem solving skills.

Today when we had to bind our arms and go to the dining hall, I was definitely apprehensive. I was excited to participate but I have never been in a class that was so hands-on. I think our group was able to come up with some very pressing issues that we faced when trying to serve ourselves. We even started to brainstorm on a few things that may have made our experience easier.

I think that opening bottles and untying bags were some of our most challenging obstacles. Also, carrying drinks and silverware and multiple plates were daunting tasks. Making multiple trips was our only immediate option.

I am looking forward to solidifying our central problem and discovering ways to make the dining hall experience comfortable for individuals with physical handicaps.