Designing an ER: A Medically Sound Project

We've all been to an emergency room at one time or another, either for ourselves or for someone else, and we all know what to expect: reception area, waiting room, medical facilities, etc.  But did you know that every last detail is painstakingly considered during the design of an ER, even down to the color of paint on the wall?  This is something that students at Byron Nelson High School recently discovered during their work on a project to design an emergency room from the ground up.

Students in the Academy of Biomedical Sciences (ABS) collaborated with students in the advanced Architecture class in order to create a 3D design of a an emergency room, taking into account all the medical and physical requirements that an ER needs to function.  The project began with the ABS students, who had to use their knowledge of medical sciences to plan an emergency room that would be streamlined and effective from a medical standpoint.  Using Google research tools, they figured out all of the necessary data, including measurements, medical hardware, furniture, facility necessities, etc.  "It was way more intricate than we were aware," said ABS student Matthew.  "Once we began researching we realized the level of detail was incredible."

In order to keep up with all the design ideas and collaborate with one another, one of the groups decided to use a Pinterest board as a tool.  ABS students Rasia told me that it "made it easier to see each other's thoughts and ideas; it helped us design the ER without having to meet all the time."  In addition to structural design, the group incorporated new technology advancements into their plans.  Breakthroughs such as facial recognition software and high tech wristbands for easier patient identification make for a better functioning ER, as shown in the group's Google Slides presentation:

Once the ABS students finished collecting data and design requirements, they sent the data along with basic sketches to the advanced architecture students.  These students then worked with the ABS group to construct a 3D computer model with their architecture software according to the specifications of the group.  Architecture students had to incorporate necessary changes to make the design more functional or to make it structurally sound.  Once the design was agreed upon, the 3D designs were rendered by modeling software.  These models, as well as the project in detail, can be seen on the architecture program's Standards Based Bulletin Board:

In the end, the project was a great success.  By utilizing useful tools like Google research, Pinterest, 3D modeling software, and Google Slides, groups were able to communicate and collaborate on a design for a newer, better emergency room. Students like Rasia walked away from this project with a greater appreciation not only for each other's classes, but also for emergency rooms and the planning that goes into creating one.  "With no limits to our innovations and designs I believe our team was able to execute to the best of our abilities... I was able to learn much more about an ER than I ever have, and I certainly have way more respect and appreciation into all the aspects relating to an ER and how they are made."

Zooming to the STEM Academy

Periscope of Zoom Conference

Mrs. Maynor from Roanoke Elementary and Mrs. Helmick from Northwest High School have partnered together to help take face to face conversations digital.  Through a Zoom conference the students of the STEM Academy and third graders at Roanoke Elementary were able to discuss what happens in the academy at NHS as well as go on a digital tour through the STEM classrooms.  Third graders were then able to participate in a question and answer forum with the STEM students.  At the end of the Zoom conference the STEM students challenged the third graders to build a model of a tree house that would be capable of lifting something from the ground, up into the tree house.

The Roanoke third graders then took the idea to paper. Or so they thought... They soon realized they had some questions about the task.  So they sent the STEM students another ZOOM invitation and had an impromptu digital chat for clarification. Christian, a 3rd grader in Mrs. Rogers class at Roanoke commented, "It helped us because we didn't understand the challenge at first and we just needed to ask more questions. So we did." Then they had to plan and design a model tree house system.  They spent two weeks in class working in groups to design their system and a way to present the information.

Today, November 16th, the 3rd graders will get up in front of the students of the STEM Academy, in person, and present their ideas.  The STEM students will then use their 3D printing machine to create the tree house system that is best presented to them.

When STEM students were asked what value there is in communicating with a younger audience, one student stated, "Communicating with a younger audience is very interesting since it is something we're not as used to doing, it helps to further expand our presenting skills."  Shelbee and Dominae, in Mrs. Maynor's 3rd grade class also added that using a chat on a phone or computer will help students when they want to talk to companies like Yeti. They said it makes it easier when they can't go on a field trip there.  Video Chats are tearing down classroom walls throughout Northwest ISD.

Diversity in Design - 3D Models

The role of an architect is quite diverse. They have to be imaginative and creative and  have a vantage point that is both big picture and focused on attention to small detail.

Students in Mr. Taylor's Architecture Design class were given the task of creating a 3D model of a residence using Autodesk Revit. In addition to recreating a residence, students had to recreate all of the necessary views for a set of construction plans including a floor plan, elevations, section views, detail plans, and schedules. Students decorated the houses using furniture that they downloaded form revitcity.com. The final step was creating an animated walkthrough of the house to show a fully decorated residence.

John said that he learned a lot from this project and was able to build on what he learned in Principles of Architecture to recreate this project using new software. John stated that he enjoyed that fact that "Mr. Taylor gave us freedom to decorate and add elements that appealed to us".

While reflecting on this project, Melanie shared that she initially struggled with this project because she didn't want t learn a new software "Once Mr. Taylor walked us through the process of creating a set of plans, it made more sense and I was open to the idea of learning REVIT. I am so glad I did!"