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To
investigate schemes of work that cross the
transition between KS2/3/4 with
an emphasis on robotics in systems and control |
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School: Rhyl High School |
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Fellow: Mark Harmsworth |
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Email: mcharm3@aol.co.uk |
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Final report |
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In my original proposal I intended to look
at the following: |
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To look at
schemes of work that cross the transition
between KS2/3/4 with an emphasis on
robotics in systems and control.
Criteria: Investigate and evaluate current
schemes of that that cross this boundary. |
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To investigate, evaluate
and redesign a project that utilise
air muscle technology.
Criteria: Evaluate current uses of air
muscle technology across a variety of
schools and investigate attitudes towards
this technology. |
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To produce schemes of work and case
studies so that other teachers could
replicate my work in their schools with
their pupils to produce successful outcomes. |
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On reflection this has become
a much bigger task than when I first applied.
Factors at work have also changed quite considerably
with the increase in my workload as a head
of department, and a member of my department
leaving suddenly. |
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To date my main focus has been the development
of air muscles and finishing the work for
the D&T show in November 2003. This in
itself became bigger than first intended,
with the creation of PX101 a robotic woman
with moving limbs, a smart material dress,
computer animated head and a purpose built
web site. The web site will allow me to disseminate
my work and will have links to TEP and GATSBY
sites. At the D&T show there was a considerable
interest in the project, with very positive
feedback from teachers who had never appreciated
the use of air muscles, and their applications,
and who were interested in the information
that will be available too them via the web.
Examples of ideas for development using air
muscle include clamping devices and training
aids for disabled people. A huge boost to
my work has been the fact that John Cave from
TR is looking to manufacture a larger air
muscles for schools. |
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A colleague’s husband who suffered
a stroke in February inspired a further development
of the application of the air muscles. This
gave me the inspiration to develop an exoskeleton
to use with the air muscles as an aid to rehabilitation
and to accelerate physiotherapy. Having built
a prototype using polymorph, fibreglass bandage
and a selection of pneumatic actuators I was
fortunate enough to enlist the support of
SMC pneumatics. This contact was made at the
D&T show and they are looking to supply
me with specialist solenoid valves to run
the exoskeleton. |
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The other areas of my proposal are still
under development, with continued research
into schemes of work on robotics. I recently
had the opportunity to purchase and become
a pilot school XSIQ, a new software programme
for interactive subjects. This will allow
me to develop schemes of work for a range
of D&T courses that can be easily published
to the web. |
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From a personal perspective
the past ten months have provided me with
a focused approach to my research. Also the
interest and enthusiasm from my pupils towards
pneumatics has grown considerably. I have
also had a lot of interest from colleagues
in other schools (system and control examiners,
and other heads of departments) who would
like air muscles for their pupils to experiment
with. This will take time, as attitudes need
to change and projects to be created. I have
been extremely grateful to Gatsby for the
opportunity to undergo this research and to
TEP for all the support and help. |
