Meet the Red Team: "The Intergalactic Elders"
Dominic, Reid, Marc, Matthew, Halle, Kailin, Jack
Senior Solutions Research has begun!
11/24/12
We had good meetings on Tuesday and Saturday and the kids made many decisions on the project. For the presentation, the kids decided on making a large cardboard cell phone. The phone would have removable buttons (held by Velcro or magnets) and on one side would be the icon for each of the information that can be gathered on a senior, and then the other side would show the data that could be gathered. We chose most of the icons and example data already, so our next step is to actually make the phone at the next meeting. We also discussed the main points that each person should discuss in their portion of the presentation, and even created a rough draft for a few sections.
HOMEWORK
For homework, the kids need to write each section of the presentation. We have been discussing this at the past few meetings and I’m hoping that everyone has a good idea of what they need to do. We roughed up some language, but the kids will need to work on this some more.
I know Mrs. Morgan’s class has a book report presentation due on Friday, but if the kids can work on their portion earlier this week and email me back their draft part before Friday, I can assemble them together to see how it sounds. That would save a bit of time, because we have to start practicing the presentation and working on the cardboard phone on Saturday.
Jack – Introduction
Hi, we are 4th and 5th graders from Hayhurst Elementary in southwest Portland. Our team name is the Intergalactic Elders. Our senior solution is an app that helps monitor seniors.
· Add that this is a team of 1st and 2nd year robotics team members
· Add a fact, including source, about how many seniors there are in the U.S. (for example – Did you know that according to the U.S. census, there are 40.3 million people who were 65 and older in the United States on April 1, 2010, accounting for 13 percent of the total population.)
Halle – Research
For our research we went to the OHSU presentation and visited Marquis Vermont Hill, a rehabilitation and long term care center. We met with the center director and she talked about problems that seniors have and she described the services that they provide. We also watched YouTube videos and looked on the internet for information and solutions. We investigated a variety of problems and researched different types of sensors to help with these problems.
· Maybe a fact about the number products there are for seniors.
Dominic – Problem
There were already many solutions to the problems that we were researching, so we decided to combine them all into one device to monitor health data from seniors. This devise is a cell phone application, or app, with two accessories that would monitor health information. We think this device would make seniors and their caregivers feel more safe, independent, and help seniors to live longer at home. It could also save money because it could delay the time when the senior would need full time assistance or need to move into a care facility.
Reid – App buttons and explanation
· Describe each button (use previous homework as a guide) and data
Kailin – Shoe Accessory
· Shoe insert
· Pressure sensors
· Pedometer – accelerometer
· Cell phone transmitter to send data
Matthew – Wrist Accessory
· Watch
· Temperature – thermistor
· Pulse
· Blood sugar?
· Location – GPS receiver
· Panic button
Marc – Conclusion
· Sharing project – school, Marquis? (can discuss on Saturday)
· Senior partner (can discuss on Saturday)
· Add some facts about seniors relating to our project (falling, getting lost, getting exercise, etc.)
· Conclusion on how our project can help
· We did not find a commercially available product that gathers and provides all the information our project does
Some speaking parts will be longer than others, so we will find other activities for those with shorter parts. Maybe pulling off and holding the buttons near the judges? The next meeting we will need to gauge how long the presentation is. They only have 5 minutes to present, so we need to figure out timing and make sure that each section flows into the next.
HOMEWORK
For homework, the kids need to write each section of the presentation. We have been discussing this at the past few meetings and I’m hoping that everyone has a good idea of what they need to do. We roughed up some language, but the kids will need to work on this some more.
I know Mrs. Morgan’s class has a book report presentation due on Friday, but if the kids can work on their portion earlier this week and email me back their draft part before Friday, I can assemble them together to see how it sounds. That would save a bit of time, because we have to start practicing the presentation and working on the cardboard phone on Saturday.
Jack – Introduction
Hi, we are 4th and 5th graders from Hayhurst Elementary in southwest Portland. Our team name is the Intergalactic Elders. Our senior solution is an app that helps monitor seniors.
· Add that this is a team of 1st and 2nd year robotics team members
· Add a fact, including source, about how many seniors there are in the U.S. (for example – Did you know that according to the U.S. census, there are 40.3 million people who were 65 and older in the United States on April 1, 2010, accounting for 13 percent of the total population.)
Halle – Research
For our research we went to the OHSU presentation and visited Marquis Vermont Hill, a rehabilitation and long term care center. We met with the center director and she talked about problems that seniors have and she described the services that they provide. We also watched YouTube videos and looked on the internet for information and solutions. We investigated a variety of problems and researched different types of sensors to help with these problems.
· Maybe a fact about the number products there are for seniors.
Dominic – Problem
There were already many solutions to the problems that we were researching, so we decided to combine them all into one device to monitor health data from seniors. This devise is a cell phone application, or app, with two accessories that would monitor health information. We think this device would make seniors and their caregivers feel more safe, independent, and help seniors to live longer at home. It could also save money because it could delay the time when the senior would need full time assistance or need to move into a care facility.
Reid – App buttons and explanation
· Describe each button (use previous homework as a guide) and data
Kailin – Shoe Accessory
· Shoe insert
· Pressure sensors
· Pedometer – accelerometer
· Cell phone transmitter to send data
Matthew – Wrist Accessory
· Watch
· Temperature – thermistor
· Pulse
· Blood sugar?
· Location – GPS receiver
· Panic button
Marc – Conclusion
· Sharing project – school, Marquis? (can discuss on Saturday)
· Senior partner (can discuss on Saturday)
· Add some facts about seniors relating to our project (falling, getting lost, getting exercise, etc.)
· Conclusion on how our project can help
· We did not find a commercially available product that gathers and provides all the information our project does
Some speaking parts will be longer than others, so we will find other activities for those with shorter parts. Maybe pulling off and holding the buttons near the judges? The next meeting we will need to gauge how long the presentation is. They only have 5 minutes to present, so we need to figure out timing and make sure that each section flows into the next.
11/17/12
We had a very productive meeting discussing the project, ideas for the presentation, messages for the swaps (giveaways during the competition), and a team cheer (which nothing was decided on). Even though not all of the details of the project have been figured out yet, a majority of it has, so we started discussing the presentation and what that might look like and the things we would like to discuss in it. We will continue to develop the project as we slowly work on the presentation.
HOMEWORK
For the meeting on Tuesday night (tomorrow!), we would like the kids to come to the meeting with three or more key points that need to be discussed during their portion of the presentation. The kids chose sections they would like to present:
Jack – Introduction
Halle – Research process and sources
Dominic – Proble
Reid – App description
Kailin – Shoe sensor
Matthew – Wrist sensor
Marc – Conclusion
Since Halle and Marc missed last week, we can get them up to speed on the project, have them choose a section, and discuss as a group the key points that should be addressed. We will continue the discussion of the presentation so the kids understand how to expand the key points into a meaningful presentation that will tie into each other.
HOMEWORK
For the meeting on Tuesday night (tomorrow!), we would like the kids to come to the meeting with three or more key points that need to be discussed during their portion of the presentation. The kids chose sections they would like to present:
Jack – Introduction
Halle – Research process and sources
Dominic – Proble
Reid – App description
Kailin – Shoe sensor
Matthew – Wrist sensor
Marc – Conclusion
Since Halle and Marc missed last week, we can get them up to speed on the project, have them choose a section, and discuss as a group the key points that should be addressed. We will continue the discussion of the presentation so the kids understand how to expand the key points into a meaningful presentation that will tie into each other.
11/10/12
At the last meeting we discussed the topic of seniors falling, but it was agreed that there are already commercially available products that can warn caregivers and emergency workers of a fall. Another interesting idea that was discussed is a shoe insert sensor that monitors balance, which is currently being developed. The kids have researched all of these great ideas for using sensors to determine health status and thought of an idea to wrap it all together within a phone app.
HOMEWORK
So, as of last week the kids will be working on a project to develop the idea of a senior health monitoring phone app with some accessories that will provide monitoring data. Some things that can be monitored is balance, impact (for falls), acceleration (for falls), location, body temperature, pulse, and maybe even blood pressure and amount of sleep. They discussed the idea of a shoe insert that would contain sensors for determining balance, impact, acceleration, and location, and some sort of wrist device (bracelet, watch, etc.) that would contain sensors for body temperature and pulse. For this weekend, the kids decided to split up and look into the various sensors and other design issues separately. Here are the assignments:
Reid – App Layout/Design
Jack – Categorization of App information
Kailin – Balance shoe sensor
Dominic – Location sensor
Matthew – Pulse wrist sensor, wrist device design
Halle – Body temperature sensor
Marc – Impact/Acceleration sensor
Everyone – Any more ideas for monitoring data that can be gathered? General ideas about the design or other accessory devices that can be developed that ties into past research? (such as monitoring the temperature of temperature-sensitive liquid medicine) Also, we need to think of an interesting way to present this idea.
MEETING
The research meeting will be Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 12:30 until 2:00 at the Hillsdale Library. I did not hear back regarding schedules for many people, but this is the only time that I could find as many meeting places are fully booked this weekend. The Hillsdale Library is located right next to Salvador Molly’s restaurant. We have the meeting room booked, head straight past the checkout desk to the back left corner as soon as you enter the library.
HOMEWORK
So, as of last week the kids will be working on a project to develop the idea of a senior health monitoring phone app with some accessories that will provide monitoring data. Some things that can be monitored is balance, impact (for falls), acceleration (for falls), location, body temperature, pulse, and maybe even blood pressure and amount of sleep. They discussed the idea of a shoe insert that would contain sensors for determining balance, impact, acceleration, and location, and some sort of wrist device (bracelet, watch, etc.) that would contain sensors for body temperature and pulse. For this weekend, the kids decided to split up and look into the various sensors and other design issues separately. Here are the assignments:
Reid – App Layout/Design
Jack – Categorization of App information
Kailin – Balance shoe sensor
Dominic – Location sensor
Matthew – Pulse wrist sensor, wrist device design
Halle – Body temperature sensor
Marc – Impact/Acceleration sensor
Everyone – Any more ideas for monitoring data that can be gathered? General ideas about the design or other accessory devices that can be developed that ties into past research? (such as monitoring the temperature of temperature-sensitive liquid medicine) Also, we need to think of an interesting way to present this idea.
MEETING
The research meeting will be Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 12:30 until 2:00 at the Hillsdale Library. I did not hear back regarding schedules for many people, but this is the only time that I could find as many meeting places are fully booked this weekend. The Hillsdale Library is located right next to Salvador Molly’s restaurant. We have the meeting room booked, head straight past the checkout desk to the back left corner as soon as you enter the library.
11/3/12
In the last meeting we discussed the kids’ research that they did on insulin pumps and liquid medicine. There were also some great ideas shared for a talking walker, simplified musical instruments, and a first aid kit for seniors. In the end, the merits of each of the ideas were discussed, but the kids could not come to a consensus on what idea to pursue for their project. We are going to have one last sharing and brainstorming session, and an idea will need to be chosen.
The team has taken a bit longer to choose a topic, so we may need to schedule an additional meeting or two while the kids are on their many days off this month. Please get back with me on schedules, weekends and for Thanksgiving, if you have not already!
HOMEWORK
The kids decided that they wanted to research one last topic - Falling. I shared with the group that a huge concern with senior caregivers and family is seniors falling in or outside their home. There are products available – like LifeAlert, which has a small wireless “help” button to press – but what if the senior becomes unconscious? Is there anything more automatic you can think of? Or are there ways to prevent falling? The kids decided to split up and chose to investigate three different topics:
Preventing – Can you think of new ways or improved ideas that prevent seniors from falling? - Marc and Kailin
Detecting – What are some ways that can detect falling? Can you think of methods that are used on the Lego robots? Are there other methods? - Jack, Matthew, Halle
Notifying – Once a senior has fallen, what can be done to notify the proper people? - Reid and Dominic
The team has taken a bit longer to choose a topic, so we may need to schedule an additional meeting or two while the kids are on their many days off this month. Please get back with me on schedules, weekends and for Thanksgiving, if you have not already!
HOMEWORK
The kids decided that they wanted to research one last topic - Falling. I shared with the group that a huge concern with senior caregivers and family is seniors falling in or outside their home. There are products available – like LifeAlert, which has a small wireless “help” button to press – but what if the senior becomes unconscious? Is there anything more automatic you can think of? Or are there ways to prevent falling? The kids decided to split up and chose to investigate three different topics:
Preventing – Can you think of new ways or improved ideas that prevent seniors from falling? - Marc and Kailin
Detecting – What are some ways that can detect falling? Can you think of methods that are used on the Lego robots? Are there other methods? - Jack, Matthew, Halle
Notifying – Once a senior has fallen, what can be done to notify the proper people? - Reid and Dominic
10/31/12
In the last meeting we discussed all of the kids’ research that they did and any ideas that they had for potential projects. It was determined that there are already good products out there for buses and medicine dispensing, so it would be harder to come up with something new. There were two original ideas presented that warrant a closer look – coming up with a temperature regulator for an insulin pump and a retractable/moveable arm for the home bed or hospital room bed to hold essential items that may be hard to reach from a bedside table (i.e. light, clock, glasses holder, cup holder, small tray, etc.).
HOMEWORK
Since the kids do not know much about liquid medicines or insulin pumps, that is this weeks homework to look into. Looking into the potential issues of needing a temperature regulator for an insulin pump, here is a short paragraph that describes the problem:
“Another potential problem is that insulin is temperature-sensitive. Exercise in hot or cold environments can potentially cause insulin to degrade and lose effectiveness. When an insulin pump is placed close to your body during exercise in the heat, the insulin may become overheated; if the pump is placed outside your clothing in the cold, the insulin may freeze.”
So, to help with our discussion this weekend, please look into the following:
1. Why is insulin needed?
2. How does an insulin pump work?
3. Are there other liquid medicines that can be used with a pump?
4. Why is a high or low temperature a problem?
5. Can you find any similar small devices that heat/cool liquid that may be applied to an insulin pump?
A basic understanding of these issues will help with the discussion.
Here are a few websites that I found to help you get started:
http://diabetes.webmd.com/insulin-pump
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/insulin/insulin-pumps.html
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/articles/insulin/exercising_with_an_insulin_pump/print/
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2012/07/tracking-insulins-health-in-the-summer-heat.html
Also, are there any other ideas that may be good to explore? We really need to be settling in on an idea soon to be able to meet the competition deadline.
MEETING
The research meeting will be Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 10:30 until 12:00 at the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, in the library room. This is the same spot as last week.
HOMEWORK
Since the kids do not know much about liquid medicines or insulin pumps, that is this weeks homework to look into. Looking into the potential issues of needing a temperature regulator for an insulin pump, here is a short paragraph that describes the problem:
“Another potential problem is that insulin is temperature-sensitive. Exercise in hot or cold environments can potentially cause insulin to degrade and lose effectiveness. When an insulin pump is placed close to your body during exercise in the heat, the insulin may become overheated; if the pump is placed outside your clothing in the cold, the insulin may freeze.”
So, to help with our discussion this weekend, please look into the following:
1. Why is insulin needed?
2. How does an insulin pump work?
3. Are there other liquid medicines that can be used with a pump?
4. Why is a high or low temperature a problem?
5. Can you find any similar small devices that heat/cool liquid that may be applied to an insulin pump?
A basic understanding of these issues will help with the discussion.
Here are a few websites that I found to help you get started:
http://diabetes.webmd.com/insulin-pump
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/insulin/insulin-pumps.html
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/articles/insulin/exercising_with_an_insulin_pump/print/
http://www.diabetesmine.com/2012/07/tracking-insulins-health-in-the-summer-heat.html
Also, are there any other ideas that may be good to explore? We really need to be settling in on an idea soon to be able to meet the competition deadline.
MEETING
The research meeting will be Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 10:30 until 12:00 at the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, in the library room. This is the same spot as last week.
10/26/12
Thanks to everyone making to our first meeting! We had a good discussion about what the research project consists of, last year’s project and what was done, and then we started to investigate topics that the kids were interested in.
HOMEWORK
The kids decided they wanted to research more about transportation(buses), medicine (or the proper distribution of medicine), “Pill-man” (sort of like the milk man, but for medicine), and a wildcard. Each child chose a topic to look into more to see if they could come up with an original idea or an improvement of an existing idea. The kids said they would do research on their particular topic for at least 30 minutes before the next meeting tomorrow. If not done already, please help make sure it gets completed tonight.
HOMEWORK
The kids decided they wanted to research more about transportation(buses), medicine (or the proper distribution of medicine), “Pill-man” (sort of like the milk man, but for medicine), and a wildcard. Each child chose a topic to look into more to see if they could come up with an original idea or an improvement of an existing idea. The kids said they would do research on their particular topic for at least 30 minutes before the next meeting tomorrow. If not done already, please help make sure it gets completed tonight.
10/19/12
Thanks to everyone that were able to make it to the OHSU presentation last Saturday. As an adult, I found the topics interesting, but I know some of the kids did not. At least it exposed them to research that is currently being done of seniors, as well as an introduction to age-friendly cities. If you are interested in looking at the presentations, they are available here: http://www.ortop.org/fll/ctOHSU.htm
Normally, I will send out meeting notices earlier than I have for this meeting, but it’s been a little challenging getting everything coordinated. Sorry about that.
HOMEWORK
For those who did not take a look at the homework that I assigned last week, I’ll provide it again. It would be very helpful to get the kids started in understanding some of the physical changes that occur when the body ages, as well as challenges that seniors can face getting older.
Age related changes that occur to the body:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter07/articles/winter07pg10-13.html
Problems Facing Elderly Living Alone:
http://www.ehow.com/list_7377283_problems-facing-elderly-living-alone.html
Staying Active:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/participating-activities-you-enjoy-more-just-fun-and-games
MEETING
The research meeting will be Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 10:30 until 12:00 at the Capitol Hill Library. There were a few morning and late afternoon activities I needed to work around, so this was the only time that may work for most people.
Normally, I will send out meeting notices earlier than I have for this meeting, but it’s been a little challenging getting everything coordinated. Sorry about that.
HOMEWORK
For those who did not take a look at the homework that I assigned last week, I’ll provide it again. It would be very helpful to get the kids started in understanding some of the physical changes that occur when the body ages, as well as challenges that seniors can face getting older.
Age related changes that occur to the body:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter07/articles/winter07pg10-13.html
Problems Facing Elderly Living Alone:
http://www.ehow.com/list_7377283_problems-facing-elderly-living-alone.html
Staying Active:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/participating-activities-you-enjoy-more-just-fun-and-games
MEETING
The research meeting will be Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 10:30 until 12:00 at the Capitol Hill Library. There were a few morning and late afternoon activities I needed to work around, so this was the only time that may work for most people.