Outcomes
Since this invention is a long term project that will likely go on into the next academic school year, we have not had the opportunity to deploy our prototype into the community for use. This is the ultimate goal of the project, but still required proof of concept and cost analysis. We believe it will be possible to mass produce the solar component of the invention to sanitize living conditions for homeless individuals.
Although our primary goal is to alleviate some of the struggles that homeless individuals face while on the street of Los Angeles, this device could be used to address the problems Syrian refugees face in refugee camps across Europe, as well. Attempts to reach service providers in refugee camps in Greece have begun, but the team has not had success in establishing a relationship. These efforts will continue, as we believe the homeless population in Los Angeles and refugee families from Syria face many of the same challenges.
Although our primary goal is to alleviate some of the struggles that homeless individuals face while on the street of Los Angeles, this device could be used to address the problems Syrian refugees face in refugee camps across Europe, as well. Attempts to reach service providers in refugee camps in Greece have begun, but the team has not had success in establishing a relationship. These efforts will continue, as we believe the homeless population in Los Angeles and refugee families from Syria face many of the same challenges.
Evidence
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Reflection
This past year has been a year full of ups and downs for our team, but we’ve enjoyed the entire process. One of our favorite moments was the day we finished our first tent prototype. We were so elated to be finished. “Just seeing the tent there, completed was what made this a great moment” said Paulina Martinez, our Materials Team Leader. Aracely Chavez, a member of our Solar Panel team said that one of her most favorite moments was when the team was able to integrate the code for the PIR Sensor, the LED lights and for the countdown timer “I felt accomplished and proud of our work” she said.
As we reminisce about the first stages in inventing a unique, portable shelter for the homeless, it has come to our attention that throughout this process the team deviated from the original requirement: a shelter for a mother and her two children. The materials team realized that they made the tent too small. The original requirement was for the tent to be big enough to fit a mother and her two children, but our current tent does not meet this requirement for it is too small.
The problem was that the Structures team added a new requirement after our Mid Grant Technical Review. This requirement was for the tent to be able to fit on the sidewalk without blocking the entire sidewalk so that pedestrians could walk. However, the Structures team and the Materials team did not communicate well enough to check if it was possible to meet both of these requirements at the same time.
Nonetheless, through this experience, we have learned that when creating a design we must keep the original requirements in mind throughout the entire designing process. If we keep adding requirements, our design will continue to change and we'll never be done. Not only that, we’ve learned that communication within the team is very important in any project. We are now constantly checking in with each other to make sure that everyone is in the same page.
This project has become a very important project for the team. As we walk down Laurel Canyon Blvd. we see homelessness in every corner, and the fact that we were offered an opportunity to help our community, and to make a change in their lives, is the biggest drive we have. There are so many people all over the world that need help, and we understand that we can’t reach all of them. But as long as we are able to change one person’s life, is all that really matters. “It’s not about us. It’s not about what we do or how great we can be. It’s what we can do to make this world a better place for these people, a better place for everyone” said team member Maggie Mejia.
As we reminisce about the first stages in inventing a unique, portable shelter for the homeless, it has come to our attention that throughout this process the team deviated from the original requirement: a shelter for a mother and her two children. The materials team realized that they made the tent too small. The original requirement was for the tent to be big enough to fit a mother and her two children, but our current tent does not meet this requirement for it is too small.
The problem was that the Structures team added a new requirement after our Mid Grant Technical Review. This requirement was for the tent to be able to fit on the sidewalk without blocking the entire sidewalk so that pedestrians could walk. However, the Structures team and the Materials team did not communicate well enough to check if it was possible to meet both of these requirements at the same time.
Nonetheless, through this experience, we have learned that when creating a design we must keep the original requirements in mind throughout the entire designing process. If we keep adding requirements, our design will continue to change and we'll never be done. Not only that, we’ve learned that communication within the team is very important in any project. We are now constantly checking in with each other to make sure that everyone is in the same page.
This project has become a very important project for the team. As we walk down Laurel Canyon Blvd. we see homelessness in every corner, and the fact that we were offered an opportunity to help our community, and to make a change in their lives, is the biggest drive we have. There are so many people all over the world that need help, and we understand that we can’t reach all of them. But as long as we are able to change one person’s life, is all that really matters. “It’s not about us. It’s not about what we do or how great we can be. It’s what we can do to make this world a better place for these people, a better place for everyone” said team member Maggie Mejia.
