Workshop on Prosthetic Hands For School Students

Children in Bangalore and Mumbai got an opportunity to work in a real time prosthesis project through a workshop organised by University of British Columbia (UBC) recently.

Students were let to work on prosthetic hands, that is, artificial limb that can replace an arm missing below the elbow.

The workshop was conducted by Dr. Mina Hoorfar, Professor and Director of the School of Engineering at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in six leading schools of Mumbai and Bangalore each.

The event aimed at helping students know how to devise creative responses to challenges such as replacing a part of the body. What we use our hands for, what our hands are made of, and how we are able to move our hands were first taught and students discussed how engineers design prosthetics in response to the challenge of replacing functions of a lost limb.

The students also learnt how to build their own helping hands using basic materials. UBC gave them the opportunity to step into the shoes of engineers and figure out how to improve the design of their helping hands.

Dr. Mina Hoorfar said, "The workshop proved to be a rewarding learning experience for everyone involved. I wanted the students to have the chance to work on a real-life project that would be beneficial to others and not just an artificial game or simulation that is often used in the classroom. Also, the students got opportunity to know each other and work together for a common goal. They also built something that will have a direct impact on someone's life."

In Mumbai, the workshop was held in schools like SVKM JV Parekh International School, SVKM JV Parekh International School, Cathedral and John Connon School, NES International School, Dhirubhai Ambani International School and Mainadevi Bajaj International School.

In Bangalore the workshop was conducted in The International School Bangalore(TISB), Indus International School, Greenwood High International School, Bangalore International School and Christ Junior College.

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