2018 EPICS in IEEE Challenge Winners
First Place Winners:
2018 STEAM Scholars, Nina & Cami Tran
2021 Update: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ChyB2xRLJGT9svgzhc-KW-pvdR8hU0HH/view?usp=sharing
Nina & Cami Tran (pictured with Project Fibonacci Founder & Chairman of the Board, Andy Drozd), were novice STEAM Scholars at the 2018 Project Fibonacci STEAM Conference nominated from the Albany Medical College (AMC) STEP program. Working with the Rome Hospital Foundation and mentors, they identified the effects of lymphedema and proposed a solution to help those suffering from the condition.
According to Nina and Cami, lymphedema affects approximately 200 million people worldwide. More people suffer from lymphedema related diseases in the United States than suffer from Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, ALS, Parkinson’s disease and AIDS combined.
People who suffer from lymphedema use compression bandages as a part of their treatment. Unfortunately, those bandages do not fit in normal sized shoes. Oversized orthopedic shoes are frequently prescribed. These shoes often make it difficult and, sometimes, dangerous to walk. Many patients need walking aids-not because of the bandages but because of the oversized shoes.
The goal of the project is to design and develop a comfortable shoe for lymphedema sufferers which accommodates their swollen leg and compression bandages. Developing comfortable shoes for lymphedema patients requires an understanding of the program from a medial and patients perspective. Nina and Cami intend to continue interviewing medical professionals and lymphedema patients before finalizing their design. With the help of a 3D printer, iterative design techniques and elastic materials create a life-size prototype that will be developed and produce shoes.
The shoes will be developed with the assistance of their mentor, Dr. Zahirul Hasan Khan. Dr. Khan will work with Nina and Cami at the Center of Gravity (Albany), thanks to the gracious support of Holly Cargill-Cramer, Executive Director. The shoes will be delivered to our sponsors, the Rome Hospital Foundation, for use with their patients.
IEEE is proud to award Nina & Cami $6,500 for the development and creation of their lymphedema shoe
The Shoreline Group awarded a scholarship of $2,000 each to be used to further their education. The scholarships will be presented to Nina and Cami upon delivery of their first shoe to our community service sponsor, The Rome Hospital Foundation.
Second Place Winners:
Nathan Angell & Eric Surprenant
Under the guidance of their mentor, music teacher Deb Guarneiri, Nathan & Eric of VVS created a robotic auto tuner to work in conjunction with the Ukulele Support System, designed for musicians with disabilities and mobility issues.
Using tuning software that can be used on a smartphone & Bluetooth technology to connect to the customized ukulele, robotic servos tighten and loosen the strings of the instrument accordingly so that it will play in tune. The current plan is to outfit up to 10 units to distribute and then collect feedback from a focus group, The Ukulele Kids Club, who will also be providing the ukuleles.
What is EPICS in IEEE?
Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) in IEEE empowers students to work with local service organizations to apply technical knowledge to implement solutions for a community’s unique challenges. In this way, EPICS in IEEE not only assists communities in achieving their specific local community improvement goals but also encourages students to pursue engineering for community improvement as a career.
The Shoreline Group
Bob and Kathy Bojanek are involved in various community foundations and non-profit organizations with a focus on education and youth development. They are the founders of the Shoreline Group which funds selected non-profit endeavors in Upstate NY.
Thank you to the Smart City of STEAM Challenge Supporters!
