Prototyping Studies

For this study, I was actually helping collect the data as a member of the HUDDIL lab. This experiment was a really great learning process for me and a chance to explore my interests in both psychology and engineering. The idea for this experiment grew out of Jessica Menold's (my PI's) experience teaching an engineering design class for mechanical engineers. She noticed that many novice 3D printer users limited their ideas for their final project and became fixated on one type of design that was not necessarily optimized for 3D printing. She believes that many students are attracted to 3D printer over traditional manufacturing tools because it requires less physical work of them and is considered to be innovative. We decided to explore this through our study where participants completed an engineering design challenge either using cardboard or 3D printing.

Student building using cardboard

Our goal is to figure out how 3D printing influences the prototyping process. While this initial stage of the study was just to nail down logistics and understand the possibilities, I am very excited to continue learning about the prototyping process. This study has taught me how to do things like write IRBs, design protocols, recruit participants, and execute experiments.

I have learned so much from being in the HUDDIL lab including how different disciplines like human development (or arts and architecture) and engineering can help each other. Often in the lab, we pair up engineering and human development students with exciting and interesting results that we wouldn't otherwise experience. This year, in addition to this project, I have been able to work on designing an app for Penn State THON committee members and I look forward to doing more work at the intersection of engineering and design at an internship this summer.