Undergrad Thesis Project
OperationColossus{
Neurodivergent people often experience significant social isolation, distress, and anxiety in their daily lives, largely due to the misconception that they are less capable than their neurotypical peers. These feelings are reinforced by norms and behaviors embedded in general society, that start in public school.
To better understand how to support neurodivergent learners through both the built environment and content delivery, we reviewed 20 academic sources and interviewed six neurodivergent adults. Together, we co‑designed learning tools informed by their retrospective experiences in public education.
This research led to a cross‑disciplinary learning method: a micro electronics kit that utilizes comic‑books narrative motivation to teach STEM topics. The results demonstrate a promising opportunity to make classrooms more accessible and create more enjoyable learning experiences for all students.
FINAL PRODUCT
Part 1
Micro Electronics Kit
Plug and play modules for encouraging prototyping and design.
Impact
Removes barriers of learning to solder. assemble PCBs and knowing fabrication and assembly to creating interactive prototypes.
Part 2
Comic Book
Story for consumers to read with the kit. Includes visual diagrams of how kit components work referencing grade 10 & 11 courses.
Impact
Neurodivergent youth are more likely able to understand STEM concepts through visually mediums, story telling mediums, and through tactile play such as using the modules in the kit.
Part 3
Design Journal
Workbook that takes consumers through the full ideation to product development process led by the characters in the comic.
Impact
Consumers can ideate projects they can make. They also encourage youth to connect with the people around them to combat feelings of isolation. These booklets are also easy to reproduce to fill out on the consumers end.
