Invention Factory


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Four hundred grade 8-12 students in Honolulu, Hawaii are learning about and creating electronic adaptive devices that meet the needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly in the community.
Project Information
Cohort: 
3 (2005-2008)
Category: 
Youth-Based
Principal Investigator: 
Neil Scott
Sponsor: 
University of Hawaii
Primary Focus: 
Engineering
Organization Location City: 
Honolulu
Organization Location Region/State: 
Pacific
Hawaii (HI)
Where project work happens: 
Pacific
Hawaii (HI)
Other Area(s) of Focus: 
Engineering
design
Participant type: 
High School Students
Target Area: 
Urban
Award Number: 
05-25274
Overview Section

This project is a three-year, youth-based program aimed at developing and enhancing students' interest in Science and Engineering (S & E) and Information Technology (IT). The objectives are to: (1) stimulate interest in S & E among students who are currently underrepresented in S & E and IT fields through the spirit of invention; and (2) provide students with skills in IT that will enable them to conduct needs analysis, design, fabrication and evaluation of devices that meet the needs of persons with disabilities or persons who are elderly. The content focus is electronic with embedded microcomputers. Approximately 400 students in 8th through 12th grades are targeted by the program. Students participate in weekly tutorial sessions with hands-on workshops and weeklong summer programs to improve their knowledge and skills in S & E and IT and to develop their inventions. The expectation is that 400 students in 8th through 12th grades will use their knowledge and skills to reach up to 400 persons with disabilities or persons who are elderly during the award period.

Activities Section

As of January 2008 in the third year of the Invention Factory:

Over 200 electronic student inventions or electronic toy modifications to aid children with disabilities have been delivered to 20 schools and community programs that service these children,

400 middle and high school students have participated in Invention Factory after-school and summer workshops. The level of participation per student ranges from 20 hours to over 200 hours,

Current level 3 students have been studying advanced design and fabrication methodologies. They will be learning the patent process.