Parametric Studio Receives Competitive National Institute of Health Research Award
Parametric Studio is a recent recipient of an award from the National Institute of Health that funds small businesses to do investigative research on different topics ranging from medical devices to technology and testing. Parametric Studio received a grant specific to a division of the agency that focuses on early science and medical education.
“The purpose of this award is to build a product—some kind of software, curriculum, or tool—that could then be used to improve science education,” said Parametric Studio founder and CTO, Chris Whitmer. “So we’re building it from scratch, essentially.”
The project that Parametric Studio will be developing is called MiMICRE - a game-based bioengineering project tool for high school students. Using MiMICRE, students will utilize applied math and science concepts in the design, analysis, and simulation of bioengineering. In MiMICRE, users collaboratively design prosthetics, apply math and science models to evaluate them, and then 3-D print and test in the real world. Students will engage with MIMICRE to learn, collaborate, share, and solve real-world problems using technologies like game-based learning, CAD, simulation, 3D printing, programming, and more.
As part of the research and building process, Parametric Studio plans to recruit around 500—600 students from different parts of the country. The plan is to include high school students from geographically diverse, urban and rural areas, with diverse populations. The ultimate goal is to show how these tools can work across a variety of communities.
The US has more health science STEM jobs available than qualified workers to fill them and lags behind other nations in math and science. There is also major under-representation among women and students of color in STEM fields. The failure to engage under-represented groups in STEM leads to reduced efficacy, diminished STEM identity, and less interest in STEM careers.
Parametric Studio seeks to solve this problem with MiMICRE. “With this project, we hope to make it easier, cheap, and faster for schools to implement realistic and relevant STEM learning tools. We are approaching this problem by creating tools that help facilitate this process, manage student teams, and gamify lesson plans,” said Chris.
By recruiting high schoolers to help with projects in their local communities, the project hopes to show that early access to real-world STEM problem-solving can help get more young adults involved in STEM careers.
“A lot of what we’re targeting here with the participants is to engage them in the biosciences and let them know the sort of fields and career choices that are out there,” said Whitmer. “But then also engage them with tools you would use in the industry as well. Give them a real feel of what it’s like to be an engineer, or a scientist, or a product developer, or whatever,” said Chris.
Parametric Studio is currently in the demonstration phase and will continue for about six months, followed by a review and the possibility of continuing research. Check back for updates on this exciting project!
