PROTOTYPING POSSIBLE ASSISTIVE METHODOLOGIES FOR COMPLETE QUADRIPLEGICS: A GRADE 10 SCIENCE FAIR REPORT (FULL VERSION)

When I was in Grade 9 at Ogilvie High School I heard about a complete quadriplegic who had problems controlling his wheelchair. I started a project to see if I could use my LEGO MindStorms NXT stuff to prototype a system that could allow complete quadriplegics who have no control of their bodies below their neck, to be able to control their wheelchairs, giving them some independence from their carers.
By about half-way through Grade 10 things seemed to be working, and a teacher suggested that I should write it up and apply for the CSIRO’s highest School award, the Gold CREST. To do this, I had to get an expert to say that my project was not rubbish.
I approached the Mechatronics lecturer at the Tasmanian University to see if he thought my project and write-up was any good. He was kind enough to take time from his very busy schedule to look at it, and he must have approved it, as later I was delighted to be awarded a CSIRO Gold CREST (which also led to other successes). This Kindle booklet is based on that report; I hope it inspires many other students to be bold enough to enjoy the same sort of fun that I have had with this project.
Yaya Lu.