The innovation was a finalist in the 10th edition of Solve for Tomorrow Peru, in 2023. Called \u201cSIFT – Health, Innovation, Splint and Technology\u201d, the project was developed by students from the School Mayor Secundario Presidente del Per\u00fa (COAR Lima). They are boarding school students, between 16 and 17 years old and in the fourth year of secondary education, that is, the second to last year of compulsory schooling. \u201cThey are students with little availability of time, and they also did the project outside of academic hours. Therefore, we sought to form the team with students willing to make this extra effort,\u201d reports the mediator teacher<\/a>, Erik Vidal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The creation uses a 3D printing machine to make splints with resin made from recycled material, which were donated to patients at a local hospital complex. The splint is a device that is applied for physiotherapy and fracture treatment or medical rehabilitation. It is a device that immobilizes the hand, relieves muscle pain and prevents contractures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project began before Solve for Tomorrow, from the subject \u201cTechnology for Entrepreneurship\u201d, where it is taught the methodology of finding a real problem based on inquiry, doing research and looking for possible solutions. But the idea extrapolated the limits of the class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first idea was to create a machine to use PET bottles for recycling. \u201cIt was created here at school, with the students, a machine that transforms PET bottles into filament for the 3D printer. That’s where it all begins,\u201d he explains. They thought that the creation could be like a business because the cost reduces, since the filament generally comes from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By putting their hands to work, they learned to perfect the process, which basically consists of heating the bottle, then cutting it and pulling it, forming a thread that will be the input used to manufacture the splints. Now that they had the basic material, how to do the production? The school didn’t have a 3D printer, so they used the one a student had at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When this stage was ready, a new challenge arose: what to do with the filaments. They looked for problems that could be solved with the plastic thread. The teacher knew the director of a hospital and they had the opportunity to visit him and see that there were many cases with carpal tunnel problems. They connected the dots: they had a more sustainable material and the hospital had\u00a0 a constant need of splints. Why not make them with PET bottle filaments?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt the hospital they thought they were finishing their university degree in medicine and were surprised when they discovered that they were college students. The experience was beautiful,\u201d says the proud teacher. The issue was completely new to the team, but they delved deeper into the topic. \u201cIn addition, there was another challenge: how do we standardize the splints, if people’s hands are not the same?\u201d says the educator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They worked closely with two patients at the hospital and decided to make the prototype based on their measurements. \u201cThe problem is that when you design on a 3D printer you have to think about the reflection; not about what you see, and they made the prototype based on what they saw. When they put the splints on, they saw that they were upside down!\u201d, recalls the teacher. . This happened in a meeting with the \u201cclient\u201d, the hospital team.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The experience was a lesson in how to behave professionally, being responsible and assuming mistakes, as well as making the necessary corrections. That is, knowing that this is part of the creative process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n With the lessons learned, the students improved the design and, when the prototype worked in the new version, the students were very happy with the result and said that the experience had renewed their hope that technology can be useful for society. \u201cPatients would be delighted to see young people taking an interest in a problem they live with, because getting the splint is one more step in their healing process,\u201d adds the teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For 3D design, they used the free professional software, Blender<\/em>. \u201cSome of the team were empowered by making contacts at universities to have quick courses on the subject and then they themselves began to explore the tool,\u201d adds Vidal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The school prepares young people to study in other countries and some of the team have already been accepted for the exchange, while others are preparing for it. However, the teacher plans to continue with the project with students who have availability. The educator has negotiated with the hospital so that in 2025 they can implement the first Technology Center dedicated to rehabilitation in the institution. \u201cWe are looking for allies and we are going to implement the machine we have created, build and donate a 3D printer and train the technician designated by the hospital so that they can make the products themselves,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The objective is to reduce hospital costs and promote the technical capacity of professionals. Additionally, some of the students began to study an alternative to filter to eliminate the impact of the gas produced when plastic is burned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The educator highlights that this experience has changed the way students see their role in the world. \u201cThey now see that knowledge can be turned into a real solution and transform their realities. I have also learned a lot. I think we need agents of change. Programs like Solve for Tomorrow are very important to value young people’s initiatives,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/solvefortomorrowlatam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-12.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPromotion of the economy and sustainability<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n Momento Eureka! <\/h5>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/solvefortomorrowlatam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-13.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrom school project to a Technology Center<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Changing the world from school<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n