Walking onto NC State’s Centennial Campus, I was hyped up to gain knowledge from Ph.D. students and walk around campus. After exploring the numerous classrooms, makerspaces, and labs, I had the opportunity to talk to a biomechanical student. She focused on the relationship between musculoskeletal structures and functions of limbs through the use of MRI, strength assessments, functional testing, and computational simulations. One of her research projects involves helping stroke patients regain walking ability through the use of musculoskeletal structures and springs to provide some power to the heel. She is improving the design of the device by gathering data on the range of motion, maximum exertion force, electrical signals, etc.
Afterward, I was once again exploring the library. Finding an electronic whiteboard in the lobby, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to draw a silly face on it. Surprisingly, people started to gather around the board, adding bits and pieces of creativity to my drawing (below). It was so cool seeing how one simple thing can bring so much joy and sense of community to people.
