CYBATHLON @school: Empowering Inclusion and Advancing Technology Through STEM Education
February 29, 2024In a world that strives for inclusivity and technological advancements, CYBATHLON @school emerges as a ground-breaking initiative designed to transform the way students think about science and technology. The project, operating under the umbrella of CYBATHLON at ETH Zurich, offers teaching modules and workshops centred around technology and inclusion. By promoting awareness and empathy, CYBATHLON @school aims to create a society that values and supports people with disabilities. The @school project not only imparts knowledge but also contributes to a change in thinking and sustainable equality in the long term.
Promoting Inclusion and Equality
One of the core objectives of CYBATHLON @school is to sensitise teachers, children and young people to the daily challenges faced by people with disabilities. Workshops and interactive teaching modules offer students a unique opportunity to witness the integration of science and technology into sports and daily life, thus broadening their horizons on the subject of inclusivity.
The project led and managed by Nina Kollegger, Head of CYBATHLON @school, emphasises the importance of two distinct workshops that the project offers. “The first type of workshop revolves around the “Flexo” elbow exoskeleton, specially designed for classroom use. Students get hands-on experience by wearing the exoskeleton, utilising various sensors to control it, and exploring the interaction between humans and technology. Through this activity, they gain insight into the challenges faced by people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and learn to develop and test products as a team. The workshops often require collaboration among students to design and build functional solutions. This promotes teamwork, communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a group – a valuable aspect of both education and future professional endeavours.
Focusing on the importance of the second type of workshop the project organises for children, Nina elaborates, “Children get an insight into an extraordinary sports module, which sensitises and inspires for inclusion and technology. By walking with a prosthetic leg, driving a wheelchair, completing a course for the blind or handling objects with a prosthetic arm, new movement experiences are made. Children also first-hand experience the challenges that people with disabilities face daily.”
Building Empathy Through Ambassadors
To achieve a deeper understanding of life with a disability and foster empathy, CYBATHLON @school invites ambassadors with physical disabilities to participate in the workshops. These individuals share their experiences and offer invaluable insights, providing tips and tricks to overcome perceived barriers. The direct interaction with ambassadors allows students to ask questions and learn about the use of assistive technologies, infrastructure, and the experience of inclusion in various aspects of life.
Empowering Students Through Learning Modules
The learning modules developed by CYBATHLON @school not only impart knowledge but also facilitate a paradigm shift in students’ perspectives, making a lasting contribution to equality and inclusion. Aligned with Curriculum 21 for Swiss Schools, the modules cover subjects such as ethics, medicine, law, inclusion, and sport, while inspiring enthusiasm for mathematics, computer science, natural science, and technology (STEM subjects), encouraging a problem-solving mindset. In addition to the modules, camps lasting several days are also offered for students which allow an intensive examination of the topics. CYBATHLON @school workshops can provide teachers with new tools, resources, and methodologies to integrate STEM concepts into their teaching practices. This can contribute to the professional development of educators and enhance the overall quality of STEM education in schools.
Furthermore, for the third edition of the CYBATHLON, we are extending an invitation to school classes to participate in our unique competition. All school classes that complete a module and submit a poster will automatically be enrolled in the contest and included in CYBATHLON 2024, taking place on Friday, October 25 at the Stimo Arena in Kloten. During the modules and our event, students will engage with the opportunities and limitations of technical prosthetic arms, guided by our ambassadors Gina Rühl and Michel Fornasier. Additionally, teachers and classes interested in delving deeper into the world of assistance systems can opt to book our STEM modules, which are facilitated by ETH students. The CYBATHLON @school contest aligns seamlessly with our STEM module series, available free of charge to participants following an evaluation process.
CYBATHLON @school contest powered by EKZ (In German)
Creating a Sustainable Impact
The CYBATHLON @school workshops, led by trained coaches from ETH Zurich, have a lasting impact on students by fostering critical thinking and problem-solving. Through hands-on experiments like designing grippers for Flexo exoskeletons, students gain awareness of challenges faced by people with disabilities, promoting social responsibility. This impact goes beyond immediate education, influencing individuals and society. The program instils a commitment to assistive technologies and inclusive design, enhancing STEM skills and fostering a mindset for real-world challenges. As students progress, the awareness and empathy developed contribute to a sustainable and inclusive approach to technology. This program changes the perceptions towards people with disabilities, and their daily challenges, and leaves a lasting legacy by shaping future leaders and innovators who prioritise technology for social good and inclusivity.
Conclusion
CYBATHLON @school stands as a beacon of hope and progress, cultivating an inclusive society that values diversity and technological innovation. Through its transformative workshops and teaching modules, the project empowers students to view science and technology as powerful tools for promoting equality and inclusivity. By fostering a generation of empathetic and knowledgeable innovators, CYBATHLON @school paves the way for a future where technology catalyses positive change, benefiting all members of society, regardless of their abilities.
About CYBATHLON – Moving People and Technology to Foster a World Without Barriers for the People with Disabilities
CYBATHLON, a not-for-profit project of ETH Zurich, is a platform that challenges teams worldwide to develop assistive technologies suitable for everyday use with and for people with disabilities. Teams take part in eight disciplines, united by a common goal – to enhance assistance systems for everyday use and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Through international competitions and other events, CYBATHLON cultivates and fosters a dialogue between technology developers, people with disabilities and the public for greater inclusion of people with disabilities in society.
After the successful staging of two global competitions in 2016 and 2020, the third edition of the international CYBATHLON competition is set to take place in October 2024. For the first time, this edition will include two new disciplines – Assistance Robot Race and Vision Assistance Race – amongst six existing disciplines like Arm Prosthesis, Leg Prosthesis, Brain-Computer Interface, Wheelchair, Assistance Robot and Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike Races.
