We have now finished the first two weeks of our internship at DIT! At this point, we have finished going through all the modules of the troubleshooting course that Grant and I brought from Rice. While we did not have access to a syringe pump or oxygen concentrator, we watched the associated videos and also were able to look at several centrifuges. Additionally, we got to check out some of the other devices that have been stored in our work space: an incubator, water bath, shaker table, and EKG machine. I think that all of these practical sessions have been really beneficial to the students, and our next step will be to figure out how best to implement this in the DIT curriculum and ensure its sustainability once the course passes on to other lecturers.
Centrifuge Day
Apart from the troubleshooting course, we also held a soldering workshop, showed the Rice GLHT projects, and discussed the engineering design process. As for soldering, it seemed that most of the DIT students had little to no soldering experience. Grant and I brought the basic tools- soldering irons, soldering wire, and wire cutters- but were challenged to find materials to practice soldering with. I’ve definitely been spoiled by how plentiful the resources at the OEDK were. Initially, I thought that maybe we could solder together a simple LED circuit on a through-hole PCB. However, not only could we not find a PCB, we couldn’t even find an LED in the electrical engineering workshop. But after some digging, we made do with some lightbulbs and a switch and were able to construct a simple circuit together. I really wish that we had the capability to work on some more sophisticated circuits, but at least we were able to have all of the DIT interns get some hands-on experience with soldering.
Soldering Practice
We combined our discussions on the GLHT projects and the engineering design process. We explained the needs for and designs of both the Mathermal and Colostomate, which the DIT interns were pretty interested in. By showing our fellow students these projects, we were able to introduce the design process that we are taught at Rice: needs-finding, brainstorming ideas, establishing design criteria, prototyping, and testing. Hopefully, we will get to show the GLHT projects to medical professionals for more feedback and conduct some needs-finding sessions with our fellow interns soon!
Our work week ended slightly early because Friday was a holiday. It was the end of Ramadan, or Eid, and Madam Kianja invited us and all the interns to her house in Pugu to celebrate! The food was delicious and the hospitality was, as always, amazing. I have never experienced an Eid party, and this one did not disappoint. Grant and I made some beef dumplings to bring to the gathering. Though it seemed like most were wary of the unfamiliar food, Dr. Kianja’s son and daughter were happy to try them!
Very full and very happy at Dr. Kianja’s!