determine what changes need to be made.“ Eventually when we get to the final stage of building it, it will be made of aluminum because aluminum is lighter,” says sixth grader Emmy Saltzman.
“ They did a great deal of research into how various materials would work for the chair, the weight, how easy it was to work and cost were all factors that came up again and again,” said Mr. Todd.“ The students really took my direction and ran with it!”
This ambitious project has taught students important lessons about practical applications of math, engineering, teamwork, and perseverance. This is a practical application of concepts they’ d mostly read in books. Unfortunately, the real-world sometimes presents unexpected challenges.
As this magazine goes to print, Clark’ s foster mom says he will need to have his legs amputated in the coming weeks. According to his veterinarian and physical therapist, Clark
will never recover the use of his legs and keeping them runs the risk of developing pressure sores and infections, which could prove fatal. It is a difficult decision, but it will help Clark, ultimately, live the best life possible.
The students will have to make some minor changes to the wheelchair design, but all their hard work can still produce positive results: a new wheelchair and a new outlook on life for Clark the Super Kitty.“ It will feel really good, for the people working on this project, to see him [ use ] his wheelchair,” says Saltzman,“ It was cool to see our design and be able to look at it and touch it.”
“ I am amazed at the level of passion these students carried into this project,” said Mr. Todd.“ I have always tried to impress on students that engineering is more than designing a part for a machine or programming a robot. As an engineer, we have the ability to affect lives and we can make lives better through what we do.” 14