The Process of Invention
By: Erin Butts, Kiara Jerez and Sandra Slattery
With three weeks left in the program, participants in the I3 Lemelson-MIT program are entering into the early stages of development for their inventions. Currently, they are researching different products and design elements that they can use for their eventual prototype.
Both teams have received feedback from the community and potential stakeholders. Team members were challenged by their professors to think about issues with existing models and potential prototypes. They also discussed their devices in terms of what businesses and communities need, and what problem or issue the invention will tackle.
Throughout the course, the interns have learned about the processes and mechanics of invention and innovation and the steps needed to think about solutions and problem-solving.
The interns are using mathematical concepts to determine how to put their invention together and began working with a combination of materials brought from home, and a toolkit provided by Lemelson-MIT. The tool kits will help with the process of bringing a possible prototype to life.
Intern Manuel Carbajal says, "I'm really excited to begin research and development and move into prototyping. At first, I wasn't too sure how all of this was going to come together, but things are happening and I'm feeling good about the program and our concept.”