Changing a life with technology from a classroom

This work introduces a classroom strategy which leads university students to solve real world and challenging problems. The basic hypothesis is that technology does not need to be complex or state-of-the-art to be helpful. Basic knowledge of mechanics, electronics and computation is enough to solve a need and provide simple yet useful, products. The case herein presented is about a classroom of students who are currently working on social-technological projects. They are collaborating with Multiple Attention Center (CAM), which serves children with all types of special needs, such as motility problems, cerebral palsy, language problems, blindness or deafness. The goal is simple: provide a solution for one person at the CAM.The students, organized in teams, were offered +10% on their final grade for the design and manufacture of a product that helps one person at the CAM. As a result of this offer, 10 different products were developed, such as a special mouse with a large joystick and a software interface to communicate basic needs, developed for children affected with cerebral palsy, and a blow-training device for children with language problems. It is important to recall that each project is customized and unique for a person at the CAM, which becomes attractive for students involvement, but not for commercial purposes.Teachers at the CAM have been involved with the requirements definition for the products and will provide their evaluation. These projects also fulfill three relevant objectives for the engineering students: To use knowledge to implement a real-life solution, to make them aware that they can change a life with a little bit of technology, and to bring them face to face with different realities other than the one at their private university. This strategy can be easily employed to reach more people with little monetary investment and significant satisfaction.