SHOWCASE
Superpets Program Showcase
Students use design thinking to develop solutions for animals with an injury or disease. They explore and integrate a range of technologies to create a wearable, implant or bionic for their patient.
Design Thinking
Students learn how to use the design thinking process to research and empathise with animals with a medical condition. With this knowledge, they are then equipped to ideate, prototype, and pitch a potential solution that incorporates innovative technologies.
Students are introduced to a variety of wearables, implants and bionics that are currently being developed to help save the lives of injured animals. They engage in a range of collaborative, hands-on tasks where they learn about modular electronics, as well as how to use TinkerCAD to create designs that can be 3D printed and laser cut. Students are challenged to implement these skills to transform their idea for a medical solution into a prototype, which they then pitch and demonstrate to their peers.
Technology
Students utilise industry technologies to realise physical prototypes to solve their pets’ needs. 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics and CAD software are explored within the context of the Superpets program.
Students investigate bionic, wearable and implant technologies to physically prototype solutions for their pets. Working collaboratively, students engage in in-depth technical tutorials in 3D printing, laser cutting and electronics with teams utilising all three technologies to create their medical devices. Through research and iteration students engage in the design thinking process to problem solve and prototype. Their teamwork culminates in a product pitch where they demonstrate their final design and reflect on the process.
Special Education Modules
Five modules that provide students from Special Education settings with access to the concepts and technologies explored in the Superpets program are available for download.
The concepts of wearables, bionics, and implants are brought to the human body and explored in the modules available for download on this website. These modules are: i) Fitness Tracker Design, ii) Body system in AR, iii) Build Electronic Circuits, iv) Eye Simulation and Solution, and v) The Circulatory System. Teachers can mix-and-match concepts that scaffold parts of the curriculum depending on the technologies available at their school.
Connection to Industry Pathways
The medical technologies, biotechnologies, and pharmaceutical industries are supported by the Superpets program.
Students learn to leverage technology and design thinking processes to grow and develop new devices for their patients. This patient-centred approach to research and development introduces students to digital health and wearable technologies, project management principles, and the engineering and biomedical sciences.
