This research, part of the Master Integrated Product Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology, is a collaboration between Red Cross Kenya, TUDelft, INSPiRED, the MakerSpaces of I.O.Me 254 and its participating students.
Originating in the 2021 Advanced Embodi
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This research, part of the Master Integrated Product Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology, is a collaboration between Red Cross Kenya, TUDelft, INSPiRED, the MakerSpaces of I.O.Me 254 and its participating students.
Originating in the 2021 Advanced Embodiment Design course at TUDelft, the Eduscope project aims to improve microscopy accessibility in Sub-Saharan African countries.
Leveraging accessible manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, and collaborating with local MakerSpaces, it empowers communities by giving them control over the project and enables the fabrication of low-cost digital microscopes.
The Eduscope project has focused on real-world testing at I.O.Me 254, serving as a crucial testing ground and incubator. This research builds on this collaboration, starting with an in-depth exploration of Eduscope V2 and the MakerSpace at I.O.Me 001 in Mombasa, Kenya. Three categories, featural, structural & sourcing improvements, were identified, but more essential four missing pieces between the I.O.Me 001 students and the projects’ success were unveiled. Continuing on the four missing pieces, Understanding, Curiosity, Trial & Error and Independence the research goal of “Empowering the students at I.O.Me 001 to develop digital microscopes targeting low-resource secondary schools in Kenya" was outlined. With this research goal three deliverables have been developed to ensure a holistic approach.
The Eduscope Rig is an essential tool in initial recruitment of the students by fostering curiosity and understanding. Next to the educational function, the Rig functions as an essential design tool by boosting Trial & Error practices and reducing supply chain independencies. The Eduscope STEM project is a series of workshops crucial to bringing the students up to the level where they can make actual improvements to Eduscope products. Lastly, the Eduscope V3 Prototype serves as tangible and visual presentation for the three improvement categories, creating an updated reference point for the students and boosting the development of the Eduscope V3.
