Mekatilili and Artisan Hive partnered with General Electric (GE) Africa to run a one-day, human-centered design workshop at Starehe Girls' Centre.
Using the design process, students worked in teams to brainstorm, prototype and refine ideas based on challenges experienced in their high school.
Have a look at some of the their innovative ideas!
TEAM SKY SCRAPPERS
Challenge: How might we prevent soil erosion and increasing moisture retention for plants.
Solution: Re-engineer the traditional eureka can.
TEAM VAES
Challenge: How might we promote student utilization of the games field?
Solution: Devising a system that is powered by windmills to attract students to the field.
TEAM MECH - X4
Challenge: How might we develop a hot water system?
Solution: Use of boilers that utilize solar energy to heat water from the dam. Alternatively, the dam water could be used for irrigation.
TEAM EVEREST
Challenge: How might we ease cleaning of concrete slabs?
Solution: Create a machine with 2 tubes: one for producing soap and the other to dispense clean water. The device has an automated brush system and is powered using solar energy.
TEAM ROCKERS
Challenge: How might we supply water to the dormitories?
Solution: Siphoning water from the dam through pipes and into the dorms.
TEAM FLORA
Challenge: How might we keep the flowers well watered?
Solution: Use of an underground piping system that pumps water from the dam to the garden.
TEAM QUEENS OF ART
Challenge: How might we supply water to specific dormitories
Solution: Use of an electric driven force pump. Solar panels would be used as a source of energy for pump.
TEAM MALDIVES GENIUS GROUP
Challenge: How might we curb the monkey invasion menace?
Solution: Construction of monkey cages that include provisions for fruits and water.