Lectures and Workshops

Activity Description

Medical Aspects of Disability and Aging This lecture examines the characteristics of aging and medical conditions and diseases which result in the type of disabilities that can be ameliorated with appropriate technology.

Introduction to AT and Good Design Practices This lecture covers the introduction to a wide range of assistive devices, as well as technical topics of design including CAD dimensioning details, part layout and assembly, tool and material specifications, manufacturing and rapid prototyping machinery and techniques.

Wheelchair Skills Workshop This workshop covers an introduction to different types of wheelchairs and hands-on practice of essential wheelchair skills such as learning how to do a wheelie and negotiate obstacles.

Introduction to Research Methodology and Statistics This lecture covers the research process from beginning to end, in both laboratory and field settings. Topics include institutional approval and ethical use of human subjects; formulation of research questions; different research designs; and survey techniques.

Technical Writing and Oral Presentations Students will perform various exercises to enhance their technical writing and oral presentation skills.

Ethics Forum The objective of the University of Pittsburgh’s Ethics Forum is to provide an opportunity for students to consider ethical practice in scientific and scholarly research through presentation and discussion.

Carnegie Science Museum Workshop This workshop hosted at the museum works with the students to teach them how to effectively communicate science and research findings to the public.

Career and Graduate School Workshop This workshop informs the students of career and graduate studies in RE. Representatives involved in research and service delivery are invited to discuss their career path and strategies for achieving success and address student questions in small groups and informal discussions.  There is also a panel specifically addressing student questions related to graduate studies (e.g., admissions process, how to identify an advisor/lab, funding, etc.)