STEM 2 is a course that focuses on helping out our local communities. Unlike STEM 1, STEM 2 is a group project. Each group creates a device based on the needs of individuals in the community.
Many people suffering from hand or elbow tremors experience difficulties when eating food due to shaking knocking food off the utensil. Although there are spoons out on the market, they are often too expensive and cumbersome. Some existing spoons require too much maintenance while others are too heavy for others to use.
To combat tremors, my group decided to go with a swinging spoon design. That way, when someone is experiencing tremors and their hand shakes, the bowl of the spoon stays stable and keeps food in the bowl. My group tested with different spoon bowl sizes and neck lengths to find the optimal combination.
The final design that my group finished with is this long-necked spoon. The grip is interchangeable with a caretaker hole for those who are more dependent and need help when eating. The long neck provides more stability when hand tremors occur. The swing stabilized the bowl of the spoon while the handle experiences tremors. The lack of electronic parts means that it is easy to maintain and produce. The whole spoon can be 3D printed and costs under $3 to produce.