My favorite module in this class (PLTW) thus far, would have to be the prosthetics module. This is  because of the amount of interesting research. Personally my favorite field is BioMed. I love the idea of being able to help people, and create new technological ideas. I have always known that I enjoyed the biomedical field, especially the historical origin of it, I just didn’t know to the extent, or amount that I would enjoy the whole field, and everything that came with it. I was most surprised by how much I loved building. I think that because of learning this new interest I may even consider the engineering pathway, although BioMed would still have to be my first choice.  I originally thought, before starting this class, or maybe even the project, how much I loved inventing, designing, and actually building. This last module, although I had fun, and enjoyed the process, I didn’t feel as though I was as interested in what we were doing- I definitely think that this was “more my speed”.

Starting of this module I didn’t quite know what to expect. I remember first looking at the video of the double amputee running on a track, and seeing a researcher casually walking down the stairs pretty much 100% normally, and being totally amazed. I never thought that I would be able to do anything like that, and I don’t think any other members of my group thought so either. How would it be possible to make a working limb with just some cardboard tubing, cotton balls, and a swim noodle? Each one of us each had our own, unique ideas. We noticed that each of us had realized that we needed to replicate a joint in some way or another, and thats where we started from. Using each others leg we took videos of each other walking and examined where we thought your body but the most pressure, to try and relieve the client from as much pain as possible. After many trials and error we eventually came up with what we thought an amazing femur, ankle, and foot replica- we could even walk on it! But there was one issue, it was extraordinarily painful for your knee. So we made a latch, and found a old glue bottle, and glued some cotton balls for comfort. We couldn’t believe our eyes,we practically, or maybe totally completely, had made a prosthetic leg!

I think that the reason I enjoy BioMed so much, and I think why many others do as well, is because you feel like you are making an impact, and an important helpful one on the world, that could be used to actually help someone in need. For me the difference in the other pathways isn’t that I wouldn’t think they were fun, but because I wouldn’t feel like I was making an immediate impact. When you see the obvious progression you are making day after day, it feels amazing. And even if you have to start over, or scratch something out, you still feel like you are improving what you are making. I also like having a set goal (ex. make a prosthetic for a leg amputee, write a paper about what ‘blank’ disease is), and being able to know that you are finished, and it works. I feel that things like media tech and engineering don’t always have a black and white goal, or at least not as often as a medical innovation would. I think a goal that I should set for myself is being able to venture out more, and being able to work with groups that don’t always have a set exact goal that you must have. Personally, I think that it would be smart to venture out of my comfort zone.

– Catherine Gavin