In partnership with UK-based company, PrintLab, Fab Lab El Paso will be hosting a local challenge and encouraging teams to submit to the international Make:able challenge sponsored by PrintLab and Autodesk.
The Brief
Design and make a 3D printed product or prototype that improves the day-to-day life of someone with a disability or the elderly.
2022-2023 END-USER CHAMPION
Juaísca Rodriguez is a Venezuelan Paralympic Athlete that represented Venezuela as part of the national water polo team. In 1996 she suffered a double amputation due to meningitis, but that did not stop her on her athletic journey and participating in recreational outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing. Due to the political climate in Venezuela, Juaísca begin the legal process to immigrate to the United States and settled here in El Paso in 2017. Juaísca passed by the Fab Lab often on her cycling trainings, and one day came in to speak with the team about her challenges as a differently abled athlete looking for custom attachments for modifying her bicycle. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as we were planning a program series around an Assistive Device Challenge. We worked with Juaisca during the spring of 2022 and submitted an entry to the international Make:able Challenge by Printlab and Autodesk which was awarded Best Inspirational Story and Best Use of Customization. This year Juaisca will continue working with Fab Lab and has graciously offered to be our 2022-2023 Challenge End User for school teams that are not able to find an End-User to work with at their campus.
CHALLENGE TIMELINE
February 17, 2023
Welcome to Make:able Challenge
In this kickoff event, we will be introducing participants to Fab Lab and PrintLab’s Make:able Challenge. We will recap last years challenge and introduce our Champion, Juaísca Rodriguez. Lastly, we will cover important information like expectations, timelines, and deadlines.
March 24
Check-in and Feedback
One-on-one meetings with teams to evaluate progress and provide feedback.
April 3
Check-in and Feedback
One-on-one meetings with teams to evaluate progress and provide feedback.
April 24
Local Submission and Evaluation
Teams submissions to be evaluated by panel of guest judges
May 1
Final Submission to Make:able Challenge
Teams are encouraged to submit to the international Make:able Challenge by final deadline.
May 4
Local Awards Recognition
Location TBD
Prizes will be awarded to Team Submissions for the following categories
Best use of 3D Printing / 3D modeling
Best documentation and storytelling
Best human centered design
Best of Show