Final Presentation Night

On Friday, May 20th, we had our Final Presentation Night at Liberty High School. Over the course of the week, I had practiced my speech at least once each day, so I felt fully prepared to deliver a strong speech by FPN. The event was divided into three parts: a brief research showcase, mentor recognition in the auditorium, and lastly presentations in our individual classrooms. Because I had two volunteers helping me set-up and transition from one part to the next, I was able to get everything done on time with minimal stress. For the research showcase, I was surprised by how quickly the hour went by, since I had a lot of fun talking to those who visited my table and asked me questions about my field and overall ISM experience. Because I had built two prosthetic legs for my Final Product, I was also able to draw more people to my table, since they wanted to learn more about the building process and how I chose the design specifications. Next, we had the mentor recognition in the auditorium, and I felt really calm as I thanked my mentor in front of a few hundred people and handed him a plaque stating his role as an ISM mentor. Afterwards, I went back to my classroom and gave my 30-35 minute speech detailing my entire ISM journey and the knowledge I gained through this experience. As I spoke, my mentor was grading my presentation, but because I had practiced my speech several times, I felt comfortable and confident speaking in front of everyone watching, which was about 15 people! As a whole, I'm extremely proud of how well FPN went, and I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to my ISM journey. I can definitely see how much I've grown as a person from this experience and the incredible opportunity to learn so much about prosthetics and biomechanics first-hand helped me realize that I truly do want to pursue a career in this field!

One More Week

This week in ISM, I had a mentor visit at UT Southwestern, finalized my presentation slides for FPN, and gave another mock speech. During my mentor visit, my mentor and I gathered all the parts of my Final Product, and I was able to finally take both my prosthetic legs home. We discussed some details for Final Presentation Night, so that my mentor would have a better idea of what to expect during this event. My mentor also gave me some feedback about my presentation, which helped me plan out the timings of various slides and verify some of the information I wasn't sure about. Then, I learned about the two methods used to pull a plastic socket: drape and blister. By using the drape method, a seam is formed at the back of the prosthetic socket, while the blister method is fully seamless. This difference occurs as the result of using two different pieces of plastic, because the drape method uses a rectangular plastic sheet, while the blister method uses a thicker, circular plastic sheet with a small protruding plastic piece in the center. Therefore, this circular sheet creates a large bubble shape when heated in the oven, allowing you to fully cover the plaster model without leaving a seam in the end. Also this week, we had a dress rehearsal for FPN at school, so I was able to practice my auditorium statement and run through my speech in my actual classroom. As I practiced my speech, a fellow ISM classmate offered suggestions for improvement, so I feel more prepared about my content and movement. This upcoming week, I'll finish last-minute preparation for FPN and continue practicing my speech, so that I'm completely ready for Friday!

Patient Description

This week in ISM, I handed out all of my invitations, had a phone call meeting with my mentor, and started planning out how I want my room to look for FPN. During our phone call, my mentor and I discussed and finalized the patient description for my Final Product, because now that we've actually built both the prosthetic legs, we could justify the decisions we made in regards to the suspension system based off patient characteristics. Since the patient's leg was amputated after a traumatic car accident, this caused serious issues at the distal end of the residual limb. As a result, the additional soreness could be alleviated by using a vacuum system for the finalized prosthesis, because vacuums are better for circulation and don't pull on the extra tissue at the site of the amputation. This skin condition is known as verrucous hyperplasia and having a shuttle lock system only pulls on that redundant tissue even more. Therefore, we decided to use a shuttle lock system as the preparatory prosthesis for about a year, while the leg shrinks down and stabilizes in volume before transitioning into a vacuum system. Also this week, I reviewed the mock speech I gave the week before, so that I could determine what areas needed improvement and what I did well. I realized that I could incorporate more movement during my speech, but that my content and body language remained strong throughout. This upcoming week, I will record another mock video of my entire FPN speech and create a checklist for my volunteers, so that they know exactly what to do during FPN.

Mock Video #1

This week in ISM, I completely finished both prosthetic legs during my mentor visit and recorded the first Mock Video of my Final Presentation Night speech. During my mentor visit, Mr. Wilson and I discussed how the electronic pump works for the vacuum and added the final pieces to my Final Product. To change the air pressure within the socket, an individual uses a remote to power on the electronic pump and set the specific air pressure they would like to maintain. Then, the pump starts pulling air out until the desired air pressure is reached, notifying the user of its progress through a series of buzzes. If there is an air gap in the leg or some other form of failure, the pump immediately shuts off and the remote emits a warning, which basically saves power and increases the lifetime of the pump. Without this mechanism, the pump would keep trying to pull air out but would never be able to reach the set air pressure, because there's a leak within the sleeve. In regards to my Mock Video, I didn't have any trouble reaching the time criteria of 20-25 minutes, but my speech wasn't as smooth as I would've liked. Before FPN, I want to work on my movement, because I usually move very little during my speeches, and on my pacing, because I would like to spend more time discussing my Original Work, Final Product, and overall mentorship and ISM experience. This upcoming week, I'll continue to fine-tune my FPN speech and presentation, hand-deliver or mail all my invitations, and consider how I want to arrange my room for this event.

FPN Program and Invitations

This week in ISM, I continued with my Final Presentation Night preparation by finalizing both the template and content for my program and invitations, creating an outline for my speech, and deciding my two volunteers to help me during the event. Previously, I had already made a first draft of the program, which we then revised and critiqued in class to check for mistakes and general appearance. As a result, I made a few corrections to the formatting and content in my final draft, which I will print and perform one final check on before mass-producing all my program brochures for FPN. For my invitations, I didn't make any major changes from my first draft, because I really liked the color scheme and information I had included previously. In class, we received a massive checklist with everything that we needed to accomplish before FPN, and I was shocked by just how extensive and detailed the number of tasks were. The majority of them are due on May 20th, which is the actual day of Final Presentation Night, but several are due in the upcoming weeks. With only three weeks remaining before FPN, I'm definitely starting to feel the pressure of keeping organized and staying on track with the busy schedule ahead of me. However, despite my current nerves, I know that all the knowledge and skills I have gained over the course of this year will help me share my amazing ISM experience at FPN. This upcoming week, I will create a mock video for my final speech, schedule a mentor visit at UT Southwestern, and update my display board from Research Showcase.

One More Month

This week in ISM, I had a phone call meeting with my mentor and updated my blog. During our phone call, Mr. Wilson and I discussed what else was left to build for my Final Product and the specific parts I used for each of the prosthetic legs. Because we are far ahead of schedule, I have time to make minor adjustments to each of the legs and understand how each suspension system would work as part of a full leg, rather than as an individual piece. Also, I am now able to focus more specifically on the other aspects of Final Presentation Night, and this includes writing and rehearsing my speech, updating my display board, creating invitations, and making a program brochure for the evening. As of right now, there is just over a month remaining before FPN, so I'm definitely starting to feel the pressure of having to accomplish so many different tasks at once. Even though the next few weeks are going to be challenging and difficult, I hope to make the most of this incredible opportunity and finish the year strong. I can't wait to share my ISM experience with my family and friends, and I know that all the hard work and effort I put in now will pay off in the end. This upcoming week, I will schedule another mentor visit at UT Southwestern, start writing my FPN speech, and finalize the template and content of both my FPN program brochure and invitations.

Pulling a Clear Test Socket

During my fifth mentor visit with Mr. Wilson, we finalized most of the characteristics of our hypothetical patient and pulled a clear test socket for the shuttle lock prosthetic leg. In our phone call meeting the week before, my mentor and I had revised our previous idea of designing two prosthetic legs: one for an above the knee patient and another for a below the knee patient.

To read my analysis, click here.

Casting a Plaster Model

In my fourth mentor visit, Mr. Wilson and I continued to work through the details for my Final Product by listing out all the possible options for the prosthetic leg. We started with the category of suspension systems, so I chose a variety of designs that could each be specialized for specific patient characteristics and the most valuable systems that I've learned about so far. I decided to include a suction, electronic vacuum, suspension sleeve, shuttle lock with a clear test socket, and a lanyard. 

To read my analysis, click here.

Assembling My Final Product

This week in ISM, I updated my portfolio and assembled the majority of both prosthetic legs during my mentor visit. First, I had to decide the approximate height and foot size of my patient, so that I could get the appropriate parts. I decided that the individual would be just over 6 feet with a 27 cm foot, and then my mentor and I used this information to select several models of foot attachments and other connecting pieces for the legs. As I built the first device, Mr. Wilson allowed me to first try and figure out which pieces were needed by myself before he gave me more information to lead me to the correct parts. In this way, I was able to really understand each step and incorporate critical thinking skills to build the legs by myself under my mentor's guidance. For the foot attachment, I selected a low-energy transfer model for the shuttle lock system and one more suitable for an active lifestyle for the vacuum, since the patient would need about a year to adjust to the amputation before returning fully to his prior activities. Then, I started to put each leg together, working from the foot attachment to the socket, since this method gave me a solid foundation to build upon. Lastly, I adjusted the foot on each socket to angle slightly outward, because Mr. Wilson told me that most people walk with their toes pointing outward. Through this entire process, I realized that the generic template for both the temporary and finalized prosthesis was essentially the same. The main differences were the type of suspension system used and style of connecting parts, since I did have to modify the lengths of pylons to maintain the same distance from the bottom of the foot to the knee on both devices. This upcoming week, I will create my FPN guest list and write another Evidence of Learning.

3D Printing Prosthetics

This week in ISM, I had another phone call meeting with my mentor and created the rough draft of my FPN program brochure. In the phone call, my mentor and I discussed possible changes that could be made to the prosthetic legs after we finished putting them together and the future of this field. We decided that the biggest changes would be made to the foot attachments, pylon, and socket, since these can vary based off the patient's height, weight, and activity level. Also, we'll most likely add minor details to our current patient description, so that specific aspects of each leg are justified by patient characteristics. Another important topic we covered in this meeting was the role of 3D printing and osseointegration in the future. I learned that the greatest weakness for 3D printing prosthetic legs is currently the reduced durability of the materials. As a result, each device must be replaced more frequently and even though the cost per leg is cheaper, having to get a new prosthesis more often significantly impairs the purpose behind 3D printing. In regards to osseointegration, it appears that its implementation within the United States is still in its initial phases. This is most likely due to the fact that this procedure is limited to a very specific patient type, because patients must have strong bones and be willing to undergo surgery as well. However, as this technique is researched in greater depth and fine-tuned, I believe that osseointegration has the potential to become the standard for prosthetic devices, rendering the use of a socket obsolete. This upcoming week, I have scheduled a mentor visit at UT Southwestern, and I plan on assembling both prosthetic legs for my Final Product.

Product Progress Report

This week in ISM, I wrote an Evidence of Learning, had a phone call meeting with my mentor, and completed a Product Progress report. During my phone call meeting with Mr. Wilson, we discussed the estimated costs of a shuttle lock system vs. an electronic vacuum and the role of insurance in helping patients cover these costs. I realized that a complete prosthesis with a vacuum is approximately three times more expensive than a temporary one with a shuttle lock, and this difference is most likely due to the amount of technology in a vacuum that supports a higher activity level for the patient. A complete prosthesis includes the prosthetic leg, any adjustments that are made, and all patient visits under that single device, so the price seems much more reasonable for a final vacuum because these legs can typically last about five years before they need replacement. Also, some patients are able to use the same socket when transitioning from a temporary prosthesis to their final device, so this will significantly decrease the overall cost. In my Product Progress report, I described everything I have accomplished so far in regards to my Final Product and what else I have left to complete before Final Presentation Night. As of right now, my mentor and I are ahead of the deadlines on my Final Product Calendar, so I can spend more time testing out various combinations before I choose the best version for my finished product. I'm planning on fully finishing both prosthetic legs by May 8th, which will ensure that I have enough time to account for any potential setbacks while I'm building my Final Product and focus on other aspects of Final Presentation Night as well. This upcoming week, I have scheduled another phone call with my mentor, and I will draft out the information for my FPN program brochure.

Information about FPN

This week in ISM, we discussed the different components of Final Presentation Night and a general to-do list before the actual event. So far, I've been focusing exclusively on developing my Final Product and updating my portfolio every few weeks, but there are several other tasks I need to complete as well, such as creating invitations and door signs, making a program brochure, coming up with a guest list, choosing a classroom, and starting to draft my 30-35 minute speech outlining my ISM experience and Final Product. Even though FPN is still two months away, I know that time will fly by, so staying organized and ahead of schedule will definitely ensure that I'm fully prepared by May 20th. I also had a mentor visit this week, and during this visit, Mr. Wilson and I pulled a clear test socket for my Final Product and decided on the majority of the patient's characteristics. Because we are going to be building two separate prosthetic legs for this individual, we talked about why we chose the specific suspension systems and what reasons could justify different design elements of the prosthesis in regards to the patient. Pulling the test socket was really interesting, and I was surprised by how quickly the plastic cooled and molded to the plaster model. I was also able to see how small changes could be made later to the socket by heating a small section of the plastic and pushing on it to reduce pressure on specific areas of the patient's leg. This upcoming week, I will write another Evidence of Learning and read through notes my mentor sent to me about types of suspension systems for specific patient types.

Choosing a Patient

This week in ISM, I had a phone call meeting with my mentor, updated my blog, and discussed my Original Work with classmates. During our phone call, mentor and I revised our previous idea of designing two prosthetic legs: one for an above the knee patient and another for a below the knee patient. Because an above knee device is significantly different from a below knee, building this product would essentially mean that I'll have to create two patients, instead of one. As a result, the purpose behind having an above knee and below knee device would be lost, because each prosthesis wouldn't be fundamentally identical, despite the use of the same suspension system. And since I was initially trying to compare a single suspension system within the category of type of prosthesis, I would no longer be able to draw as strong of a conclusion at the end. Therefore, my mentor and I decided to create a single patient with specific characteristics and then design two prosthetic legs for that individual: one immediately following surgery and another approximately a year later, when the leg has stabilized and is no longer rapidly losing muscle mass. I think this idea will allow me to not only incorporate different suspension systems but also practice a realistic approach to treating a patient. Furthermore, I will choose this patient by looking through several links my mentor sent me describing actual patient experiences, so I can either base the patient for whom I'm designing this prosthesis off a real individual or through compiling various characteristics from several people. This upcoming week, I have scheduled a mentor visit, so I plan on finalizing the details for my patient and pulling the sockets for my final product.

Mentor Visit #3

During my third mentor visit with Mr. Wilson, we tested out several ideas for my Final Product and discussed the socket making process. The previous week, we had scheduled a phone call, and through this phone call, my mentor and I brainstormed several different options and types of products. Therefore, we were able to determine the feasibility of each idea and also had the ability to determine what materials, parts, and tools were available to us at UT Southwestern, so that we would be able to understand how realistic each option was.

To read my analysis, click here.

3D Printing Prosthetics

The process of designing prosthetics is both time-consuming and costly, because it's a labor intensive, multi-stepped procedure and also since the different materials used need to be durable and long-lasting. As a result, I chose to focus this week's research on a relatively recent development within this field: 3D printing prosthetics. 

To read my analysis, click here.

Mentor Visit #4

Because I had already given my Original Work speech on February 17th, I spent most of my time this week in ISM studying for tests in other classes and working out the details for my Final Product. As other students were still giving their speeches during class, I was able to organize my portfolio and all the assignments I've done so far this year. Looking through some of my older research assessments, I could clearly see just how much I've grown and learned since then. Even though I've only been in ISM for a few months now, it's very apparent that I've not only become more knowledgeable about biomedical engineering, but I've also increased my self-confidence and comfort in professional settings. One of the greatest things about ISM is the fact that I'm able to witness my fellow classmates learning about their own fields, and it's truly amazing to realize just how diverse our interests are. Also this week, I had another mentor visit with Mr. Wilson at UT Southwestern. During our meeting, we went through and finalized minor details from both my Final Product Proposal and calendar. We're already ahead of schedule, so I'm glad that I'll have plenty of time to make sure that my product is completed to the best of my ability and truly reflects all the information I've learned about prosthetics. This upcoming week, I want to fully update my blog with all the assignments I've completed so far and schedule a phone call with Mr. Wilson to iron out details for after Spring Break.

Looking Ahead

This week in ISM, I gave my Original Work speech, completed all the assignments on the current due date calendar, and started the background research for my Final Product. Because the Original Work speech needed to be between 20-25 minutes, I spent a few hours the night before practicing. Initially, my greatest concern was that I wouldn't be able to meet the time constraints, but as I continued to rehearse my speech, I realized that I knew a lot more about my field than I thought I did. As a result, I was able to expand significantly upon the topics I had included in my slides, so time was no longer the issue. Instead, I chose to focus more on engaging the audience and making sure that they understood the material I was covering. Since most people don't know much about prosthetics, I wanted to make the most of this opportunity to share my knowledge with others. On the day of my speech, I was a little more nervous than I had been for the previous speech, even though I had practiced this speech many more times. Overall, my speech went pretty well, but I have a few areas I want to improve upon before the next speech and Final Presentation Night. Furthermore, because I have finished all the assignments on the due date calendar, I now have more time to focus on the initial steps of my Final Product and relax before Spring Break. This upcoming week, I will have another mentor visit and iron out all the details for my Final Product, so that my mentor and I can start putting things together after Spring Break.

Original Work Speech

This week in ISM, I finished my Original Work report and started planning out my Original Work speech. As I wrapped up my report and drew my final conclusions, I was able to discern several trends within my data, such as the correlation between the type of suspension system incorporated, the overall comfort level for the individual, and the typical usage of the device. From my statistical analysis of the survey responses, I was able to justify and support the hypothesis I had drawn before beginning my report, affirming that above knee users of prosthetics did receive a lower level of functionality and satisfaction from their prosthesis. As a whole, I'm extremely proud of how the finished report turned out, and I believe that I learned a lot of valuable information that will definitely benefit me as I consider my final product. Also this week, I started planning out my Original Work/ Reflections speech, which I'm giving on February 17th. Because this speech is meant to be more of a discussion/ presentation rather than a formal speech, I'm thinking of ways to get the audience engaged and involved throughout the speech to ensure that I keep their attention. This upcoming week, I will revise both my Final Product proposal and calendar to create a finalized version, write another Evidence of Learning, and continue to prepare for my Original Work speech!

Original Work Report

This week in ISM, I had another mentor visit, researched the Exo Prosthetic Leg for my Evidence of Learning, and finished most of my Original Work Report. During my mentor visit, my mentor and I tested out several ideas for Final Product, because prosthetics is such a huge field that encompasses so many other topics within it. As a result, I still haven't been able to pinpoint a specific idea that I can then incorporate into a product that's both interesting and informative. I also learned about another form of suspension that's essentially a variation of the shuttle lock system. It's called a lanyard, and it adheres the socket to the leg through a series of velcro straps. It offers a slightly tighter fit and also minimizes any rotation of the limb within the socket a little more than a regular shuttle lock can. Furthermore, because the cost of prosthetics is one of the biggest detriments to their effectiveness, I researched how 3D printing these devices reduces cost and the time it takes to create each prosthesis. With a machine making each device, the potential for human error significantly decreases as well, so I believe 3D printing could play a major role in this field in the future. I also completed most of my Original Work Report this week, and even though I wasn't able to draw any revolutionary conclusions, I still gathered some great data and was able to reaffirm the hypothesis I created before my statistical analysis. As a whole, I'm proud of how the report turned out, and I'll wrap it up this upcoming week and do some final revisions and edits before turning it in.

Work Week

This week in ISM was mainly focused around individual work time and a self-paced schedule, which allowed me to get started on several long-term assignments and stay ahead of the due date calendar. Because I had a mentor visit last week, I wrote an Evidence of Learning detailing the differences between some of the most commonly used suspension systems for prosthetics. Even though it was initially difficult to understand how each system worked, seeing them in person during the visit really helped me integrate the descriptions I had read with the functions and purposes of each system. For example, I learned that a suction system is more passive than a vacuum, because suction simply pushes air out from the socket through a valve while a vacuum actively pulls air out using either electronic or mechanical means. Also, I had a short phone call meeting with my mentor during the week, and we discussed Final Product ideas some more and spoke about the progress I had made on my Original Work report. I believe we're getting closer to finalizing an idea for Final Product, so then I will be able to write the Product Proposal and create a calendar with deadlines to help my mentor and me plan out the remainder of this year. This upcoming week, I want to finish the majority of my Original Work report and write another Evidence of Learning. 

Suspension Systems

One of the biggest factors in the overall comfort and effectiveness of a prosthesis is the suspension system used to attach the device to a patient. Three of the most commonly used suspension mechanisms are suction, a vacuum, and a shuttle lock, and there are several variations of each of these that can be adapted to better suit a patient's needs. 

To read my analysis, click here.

Mentor Visit #2

During my second mentor visit with Mr. Wilson, we discussed the responses I had received for my Original Work, how to organize and analyze this data, and brainstormed some ideas for my Final Product.

To read my analysis, click here.

Final Product Brainstorming

This week in ISM, we started talking about possible Final Product ideas and discussed products that had been done in the past. Even though it seems that Final Presentation Night is really far away, I know that things are going to start moving crazy fast from now until that date, so I'm trying to stay ahead of the due date calendar. First, we got into small groups and took turns sharing any ideas we had for our own product, and I realized that everyone else was struggling just as much as I was with coming up with a unique and cohesive product idea. Currently, I have several smaller ideas, but I still haven't been able to think of a way to combine them all together or encompass everything I've learned so far. Through my study of prosthetics this year, I'm most interested by the different suspension systems used to attach lower limb prosthetics to the user, because they each have their own pros and cons. Because I also had a mentor visit this week, my mentor and I talked through some of these ideas, but we haven't settled on anything definitive just yet. I'm hoping that my Original Work report will serve as a source of inspiration and give me an issue or pattern that I can then solve or represent in a final product. This upcoming week, I will continue working on my Original Work report, write another Evidence of Learning, and test out more ideas for a final product.

Updating My Blog

This week in ISM, I spent most of my time organizing the survey responses I was receiving for my Original Work and updating my blog. Currently, I'm planning on analyzing the data based off two groups: lower limb vs. upper limb prosthetics. Because there are several differences between the designs of these two types of prosthetics, I believe separating the responses into groups will allow me to draw a stronger conclusion at the end. The only issue I face while following this method is that I have received significantly fewer responses for upper limb prosthetics, which mainly has to do with the fact that these amputations are much less common. As a result, the sample group for upper limb could be too small to get an accurate representation of the entire population, but I still think the pros of this method outweigh its cons. Another aspect of this week was that I fully updated my blog by posting all the research assessments, interview assessments, and the first evidence of learning that I have completed so far. I also scheduled my second mentor visit for next Wednesday, and I want to utilize that time to get my mentor's help with organizing my survey responses and planning out my Original Work analysis. By the end of this upcoming week, I'm hoping to have gathered about 30 responses, so that I will have plenty of time to complete my analysis and draw my final conclusions. 

Research Interview #6

My sixth research interview was with Ms. Jacqueline Adolph, who is an instructor at UT Southwestern specializing in Prosthetics-Orthotics. Because Ms. Adolph works directly with patients in a clinic and at a hospital, I thought that this interview would be a great way for me to understand the future for the field of prosthetics and learn about any current advancements or trends for these devices.

To read my analysis, click here.

Research Interview #5

I had my fifth research interview with Ms. Samhitha Mohan, who is currently a graduate student at the University of Texas at Dallas. She works in Dr. Prasad's research lab, which is focusing on the development of biosensors to detect various proteins and place biomarkers on different molecules.

To read my analysis, click here.

Creating My Original Work Survey

After two weeks without school, it felt strange entering my ISM classroom on Monday morning. Over the holidays, I had created the survey for my Original Work, and I had also reached out to the director of Dallas Amputee Network, Ellen Fernandes. Because I want my survey to determine how patients feel about their prosthetics and how different suspension systems could affect their overall comfort level and satisfaction, I was really hoping that Ms. Fernandes would be able to send out this survey to the members of this local organization. She agreed to help me gather the necessary data to analyze and draw conclusions from, and I have about 20 responses so far, which is incredible! It's extremely beneficial to receive feedback directly from those individuals who use these devices, because this helps me compare opinions across age groups, different number of years of usage, and various suspension systems. I hope to get about 40 responses total, so that I will have a large enough focus group to reach a general conclusion. The rest of this week was spent writing my first Evidence of Learning, and I chose to analyze my sixth research interview for this assignment. This upcoming week, I want to schedule another mentor visit and continue to organize the survey responses I get for my Original Work, which is due on February 12th.

Research Showcase

On Thursday, December 17th, we had our Research Showcase at Heritage High School. I had already packed everything I needed the night before and created a checklist to make sure that I didn't forget anything at home accidentally, so by the time I arrived at the school, I felt prepared and really excited to talk about my field. Setting up my table only took me about ten minutes, because I knew exactly where I wanted to place everything, so I had plenty of time to walk around and see the students' boards at other schools. By 6:30 pm, I was back at my table, ready to start talking to the guests who were arriving at the event. Overall, I think Research Showcase went really well, because I had a lot of fun sharing all the knowledge I've gained so far throughout my ISM experience. Most of the questions I was asked were clarification questions about what exactly biomedical engineering is and why I chose to study prosthetics specifically. I realized just how many kids are interested in this field, and it was so incredible to encourage them to pursue biomedical engineering and tell them about the different options they would have within this field. Research Showcase marks the halfway point in my ISM journey, and I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I've learned so much already, and I can't wait to continue my mentorship experience and delve even deeper within my field of study for the rest of the year!