b'16 Partner News Spring 2021AcademicAs an outcome of this design module we are seeing an increase in student projects relating to accessibility, inclusivity and empowerment, not just in the module itself but in students interested in pursuing this in their third-year dissertation projects as well.The students who are electing to work on these community and individual empowerment focused projects are also experiencing a greater motivation, leading them to achieve big things. Two of the students from this module, Archie Campbell and Ella Bray, were featured in last edition having been shortlisted for awards. Another student, Hemal Dias, submitted his design for Stablspoon, an affordable tremor mitigating spoon, to the Design Council Spark Awards and won, gaining 60,000 of funding for design development. Warwick students showing their prototype wheelchair trailer and cleaner at the design showcase.Hemal said: When I accepted my offer to study mechanical engineering at Warwick, I envisioned myself and a team of others wearing white lab coats, huddled over an engine wondering why StartingEngineering, what is it good for? Absolutelyit went wrong and how we could fix it. everything! But how often do we show thatWhile this is not an uncommon sight at to our students? Traditionally, engineeringWarwick, my time there has opened my courses are full of large-scale projects,eyes to the numerous smaller applications small andsuch as formula student and bridgewhere engineering still plays a major building. These are fantastic opportunitiesrole. For instance, the lightbulb moment for students to get involved in excitingwith Stablspoon was when I was visiting achievingassignments and are great for recruitmenta family friend who had a bad hand too. However, whilst this traditional contenttremor, making eating with a spoon is a recognised beacon of engineering,virtually impossible. Something shaking it is not the be all and end all.which should not be shaking sounded big at theAt the University of Warwick, weve beenexactly like an engineering problem. making space for smaller scale projectsHaving established that duct tape was Universitywhere students can gain a greater sensenot the solution this time, I pursued this of ownership. These also give us a greaterproblem as part of my third-year project, opening for community involvement and forsupervised by Chloe. The opportunity to students to see the impact of their work.propose my own project was exciting and of Warwick These small projects are usually on veryempowering. I never expected to be solving unique topics, which reduces the likelihooda real problem while still at university of student prior knowledge, thus levelingbut now I firmly believe that real world the playing fieldsomething Harvey Muddproblems are the best way to learn.College did as part of achieving 50% females on computer science courses.We are always on the lookout for new clients to get involved in setting real world On our Engineering Design second yearchallenges, big and small, or to attend our module, we engage with local engineeringend of year Design Showcase and talk to employers, schools, and the community tothe students about what theyve achieved. identify projects for our students. This gives students the chance to have authentic workIf youd like to engage with our students and time to speak with the clients settingplease contact the Module Leader their challenges. Chloe Agg on c.agg@warwick.ac.uk'