Megan Ebers Presents at 2024 WiDS Puget Sound Conference

Katie Landwehr News, Presentation , , ,

On May 14, 2024, Steele Lab members Dr. Megan Ebers, Mackenzie Pitts, and Dr. Kat Steele attended the Women in Data Science (WiDS) Puget Sound conference hosted at Seattle University. WiDS aims to inspire and educate data scientists worldwide, regardless of gender, and to support women in the field.

Among the speakers at the conference, postdoctoral scholar Dr. Megan Ebers gave a presentation titled “Data Expansion to Improve Accuracy and Availability of Digital Biomarkers for Human Health and Performance.”

A professional woman standing confidently in front of a projector screen, delivering a presentation.

Switch Kit Workshop at Kindering Redmond

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach , , , ,

Steele Lab members, Mia Hoffman, and Katie Landwehr led a “Switch Kit” Workshop at Kindering in Redmond, WA.

The workshop aimed to teach Pediatric Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Educators how to use a new system we have designed with local families and clinicians for inclusive play options in early intervention. The Kindering Team also got to try a variety of adaptive switches Mia, Kate, and Alisha made. Stay tuned for more on this project.

A woman standing next to a table with toys and a projector screen. The slide says "Co-designing a Switch Kit for Digital Play"
People of different backgrounds gathered around a table, interacting with toys and an iPad.

Engineering Discovery Days 2024

Katie Landwehr News, Outreach , , , ,

The University of Washington College of Engineering re-launched Engineering Discovery Days this spring. Discovery Days has been a signature outreach event for over 100 years, providing fun and enriching hands-on experiences for students, teachers, and families from across the state. Discovery Days is also an opportunity for our community of UW Engineering students, staff, and faculty to share their passion for engineering with the next generation of innovators.

The UW Biomechanics Faculty put together an exhibit titled “Biomechanics Assemble! From Exoskeletons to Cytoskeletons” with the goal of demonstrating how we study movement and forces in humans and cells at UW.

Two people stand outside, one with a robotic leg, holding a sign reading, "The Human Body: The Ultimate Machine." Both wear "Engineering" shirts. Trees and an event tent are in the background.
A person wearing an exoskeleton suit stands facing a small group of people in a room with various individuals and equipment.
Two people engaged in a discussion while one is wearing a 3D printed prosthetic hand.
Two people fist bumping. One person is wearing a 3D printed prosthetic hand.
A person in a lab wearing an exoskeleton, ready to teach students about biomechanics research.
A woman instructing a child how to use a 3D printed prosthetic hand to pick up a small bottle
A group of students standing around while one is wearing a 3D printed prosthetic hand
A group of students standing around while one is wearing a 3D printed prosthetic hand

The Steele Lab along with the Ingraham Lab hosted two booths. Each booth featured hand-on activities and games for students to engage with.

The first booth features an ensemble of exoskeletons and assistive devices, including the Biomotum Spark and 3D printed prosthetic hands.

The second booth featured two games for students to engage with, including “Myodino” using Delsys EMG sensors, and “UltraLeap Ring Sorting” VR game using the UltraLeap hand tracking technology.

In this lab, we think the human body is “The Ultimate Machine” and we were so excited to share HOW we study the human body at Discovery Days 2024.

A woman showing a young student how to play the game "MyoDino" by activating forearm muscles
A man placing an EMG sensor on the forearm of a young student
A small group of people standing around watching a student play MyoDino on a laptop
A small group of students standing around looking at a laptop as a woman explains how to play the "UltraLeap Ring Sorting"
A small group of students standing a laptop while a student plays the "UltraLeap Ring Sorting"
A small group of students standing a laptop while a person wearing an exoskeleton plays the "UltraLeap Ring Sorting"

UW CREATE Presents at the UWFB Meeting Spring 2024

Katie Landwehr HuskyADAPT, News , , ,

The Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) presented at the University of Washington Foundation Board Meeting Spring 2024.

A group of people on a stage

Kat Steele, Associate Director of CREATE introduced the impact of the center over its first 5 years and trainees, including former CREATE postdoc Kim Ingraham, present our research on the impact of access to early powered mobility at the board meeting. Check out the presentation (starting at 59 minutes, link to video on YouTube HERE ).

During the Cocktail Hour Showcase, Heather Feldner and Mia Hoffman also shared their work with HuskyADAPT and the development of accessible design and play technology.

As highlighted through these presentations, CREATE’s mission is to make technology accessible and to make the world accessible through technology.

A person standing next to a table