Designing a Paraplegic Saddle Lesson Plan

Duration: 1 week (7 days) to complete entire lesson.

Teaching strategies used: hands-on activity, group/cooperative learning activity, use of manipulative

Technology component: web search

Standards: Nebraska Department of Education Science Standards: SC12.1.3 Students will solve a complex design problem.

·  SC12.1.3.a Propose designs and choose between alternative solutions of a problem

·  SC12.1.3.b Assess the limits of a technical design

·  SC12.1.3.h Recognize creativity, imagination, and a good knowledge base are all needed to advance the work of science and engineering

SC12.2.2 Students will investigate and describe the nature of field forces and their interactions with matter.

·  SC12.2.2.a Describe motion with respect to displacement and acceleration

·  SC12.2.2.b Describe how the law of inertia (Newton’s 1st law) is evident in a real-world event

·  SC12.2.2.c Make predictions based on relationships among net force, mass, and acceleration (Newton’s 2nd law)

Target Audience: Biology, Advanced Biology, AP Biology, and Anatomy/Physiology, STEM Education class

Objective: After completing the activity, students should be able to propose designs for a specific problem, choose between alternative solutions, and assess the limitations of technical designs with 90% accuracy.

Abstract: You and your classmates are biomedical engineers assigned to develop a new equestrian saddle for a paraplegic rider. Current concerns with existing equipment include high cost and safety. In the event the rider is thrown, some existing saddles compromise the riders ability to separate from the horse.

In this activity you and your team will follow an engineering design methodology to brainstorm on the design of an affordable, safe equestrian saddle for a paraplegic.

Background Information

Equity In Sports

Engineers who work in sports have the same goals as other sports professionals: enhance performance; prevent injury; assure safety; increase enjoyment; health benefits; longevity (to play the sport as long as you like) and accessibility (any age and physical challenge).

Longevity and accessibility are important challenges in equipment design. Believe it or not, it has been common in the past to just scale down men's equipment for women and children. However, women are not small men and children are not smaller men and women. Important anatomical and physiological differences exist which should be integrated into the design. Injury rates and types of injuries differ between the genders and age.

As our population ages, provisions should be made for equipment which addresses the special needs of seniors, either through adaptation or assistive devices. There also is a market demand and responsibility to address the needs of individuals with physical challenges. Here are two examples.

Tandem bicycles (a "bicycle built for 2") are a fun cycling alternative for families and individuals. As these bicycles became more popular these same tandem bicycles became prevalent in cycling for the visually impaired. A sighted "pilot" cycles in the front seat, while the visually impaired individual pedals at the same speed in the rear seat.

Bow hunters may have to draw their bows for long periods of time. Releases are available to assist bow hunters in this activity. (A little clamp hooks onto the bowstring; the clamp is attached to a trigger or a hand-conforming grip.) The grip or trigger allows the archer to use more of their fingers and hand in drawing and holding the bowstring back. The trigger/grip mechanism also is used by seniors, women and children who simply do not have the strength of an adult male and by individuals with physical disabilities which affect their grip.

Riding A Horse When You Have A Physical Disability

Therapeutic riding and hippotherapy programs have become more prevalent. These programs are based on the rhythmic and 3-dimensional movements of the horse. The motion stimulates and works the muscles of the rider. For an individual with lower body paralysis, the motion emulates the motion of the human gait. The rider is immediately taller. The rider's posture, balance and muscle control are improved and provides cardiovascular and circulatory benefits by raising heart rates.

The rider and the horse become a team. The ability to control a 1000 pound animal offers a great sense of freedom and independence and promotes feelings of trust and self-worth. Exercises and tasks that would be dreary or considered "work" become fun and game-like if they are part of a riding therapy session. In addition, horseback riding produces an opportunity for disabled individuals to enjoy the outdoors without wheelchairs or crutches.

Ramp
Ladder And Knotted Reins, Break-Away and Safety Stirrups

As in many sports, adapted or special assist equipment is available. For example, a saddle may be adapted for a rider missing their lower leg. A ramp or set of stairs may assist mounting by elevating the rider to the level of the horse.

Examples of adaptive and assist equestrian equipment include:

·  ladder reins

·  break-away stirrups

·  safety stirrups

·  surcinges

·  walker belts

Saddle Adaptation and Good Grip Brush
Surcinges And Walker Belt

Equipment Design

The most important factor in equipment design is safety, for the participating athlete as well as the other athletes and individuals in the area.

Athletes with motor disabilities often have stability, maneuverability and control issues. In competition, sport governing bodies are concerned with allowing accessibility to athletes to participate balanced with inhibiting devices which would provide a skill advantage.

Development and marketplace costs of assistive devices is an important consideration. Adaptive equipment in many sports is individualized based on the specific capabilities of the athlete. Subsequently, the market is small or may even be just one individual, therefore it is understandable that expensive design development costs may discourage high tech solutions.

Engineering Design

Engineering has been called "constrained design". Theodore von Karman (co-founder of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory) said "Scientists discover what is, ... engineers create what has never existed."

While the design of any object might seem like an overwhelming task, there are proven methods to lead you step by step through any design process.

The process begins with a clear problem definition to understand your goal. You must know where your target is to hit the bullseye. Often your client or customer may not be able to define exactly what they want and may not be the end user. For example, your client could be a sporting goods company, but the end user, who will use the equipment, is a paraplegic rider and the horse!

Your Challenge - The Problem Statement

Your client is a small manufacturer of riding saddles. The owners of the saddle making company believe the development of an affordable, safe saddle which addresses the needs of individuals with leg paralysis (or weakness) will encourage individuals to participate in equestrian activities and ultimately, grow the sport. However, none of the employees of the saddle company are familiar with the needs of a paraplegic rider. Subsequently, the owners have engaged your company to provide some innovative concepts.

The saddle company will be your client, but the saddle company is clearly not the end user of the saddle; both the paraplegic rider and the horse are the end users of the saddle.

Paraplegics can have severe problems with balance. This will be a key element of a functional, safe saddle. The saddle will need to keep the rider upright. Another point to always keep in mind is that the saddle must meet the needs of two users: the rider and the horse!

However, it is important that in case the rider falls off of the horse, the rider can separate from the horse. This will prevent the rider from being dragged over the ground or trampled by the horse. For example, you might consider using strips of Velcro to strap the rider's legs against the stirrups' straps. However, if there is too much Velcro and an accident occurs the rider may not be able to separate from the horse.

Often, adaptive saddles are custom-made, "one-of-a-kind" solutions and can be very expensive. While each individual's physical disabilities and limitations are unique, a saddle which meets the general needs of a paraplegic rider is very desirable.

Timeline:

Day 1: Background knowledge and vocabulary

Day 2-3: Web research days and filling out of engineering pages

Day 4-6: Start creating design

Day 7: Presentations to the class and pick a winner

Project

Students will learn about various disabilities and the importance of creating technology that gives all people the chance to part-take in sports activities. Students will partake in a creative challenge to create a saddle that can be used by a paraplegic during a horseback therapy session. Students will research what types of saddles and equipment is currently used for horseback riding therapy. From various materials and research, students will develop a saddle "prototype" based upon the needs of the client. These prototypes will be presented to the class and the team with the best idea will win. Students will work in groups of 3-4.

Materials Needed:

·  Engineering Project Worksheets

·  rubber cement, glue, yarn, string, craft glue

·  toothpicks, wooden dowels, foam

·  construction paper, cloth, various covering materials

·  anything necessary to construct the prototypes

Procedure

1. After learning about various disabilities and the technologies available to people with disabilities, conduct web-research to start answering the questions on your engineering pages.

2. Construct a prototype of the saddle by first drawing/sketching your idea, then collecting your materials, then constructing. Note: the saddle only needs to be able to fit in a 12" x 12" x 12" box. It is does not need to fit a full-size person or horse.

3. Create a presentation to market your saddle to your classmates.

Method of Assessment/Evaluation

1. Make a sketch of your prototype and materials used.

2. Complete the Engineering Project worksheet

3. Presentation your prototype to the class

Extension/Reinforcement/Additional Ideas

·  National Geographic Video "The Noble Horse"

·  Visit HETRA Riding Academy (Omaha, NE)