During EXPLORE UT 2019, our lab held demonstrations for attendees (young students and adults) to learn about different facets of our research.
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Everyday materials were utilized to introduce concepts of polymers and scaffold fabrication techniques and how they are used in biomedical applications.
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Both graduate and undergraduate students were involved in the design and execution of these demos and served as leaders of the hands-on activities (making foam, slime, and 3D printing).

We started a pilot program working with the University of St. Augustine School of Health Sciences as an outreach to families with children with special needs in the Austin area.

Graduate students worked together as teams to make a custom product for special needs children participating in the event.  

Some of the products produced were a custom attachable and adjustable desk for a children size walker and modified children’s electric car with a switch mount that improved mobility and functionality for a paraplegic child.

Graduate students were involved in a program that required presenting their Ph.D. thesis work to middle school students.

The goal was to be able to effectively teach the student about science and engineering, exposing them to different areas of research.

Students were then expected to discuss the project, developing their critical thinking and communication skills. Our lab plans to continue participating in these annual events.

Our lab set up an Annual Santa’s Adaptive Toy Workshop, where volunteers were shown how to adapt main stream, battery-powered toys with external switches so that children with physical challenges can use them.

These adapted toys were then donated to specialized agencies that work to improve the life quality for these kids and their families.