ExploraVision Program – Team P.S. 3000

More BIG news from the world’s largest K-12 science and technology competition, the ExploraVision Program!

Students from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Gifted Program in Scarborough were selected from over 4,800 entries, across Canada and the US,  for Honourable Mention in the Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) ExploraVision Program.

Three teams in total were awarded Honourable Mention for their inventions.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated! As most of you know, we interviewed the three teams and today we’re sharing another team invention with you.

Team members from left to right: Eden, Anda, Amy, Nicolette

Invention: the P.S. 3000 (Pancreas Stimulator 3000)

Details:  The P.S. 3000 is a microchip with a reservoir of insulin that is planted into the tissue of the pancreas, which constantly monitors blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels go too high, the P.S. 3000 releases enough insulin to bring the level back to normal. It has a tube that connects to a port on the outside of the body that refills the reservoir of insulin when needed. When the reservoir needs to be refilled, the person is notified by a vibration sourced by the microchip. The P.S. 3000 would be for people with type 1 diabetes, making it more comfortable and convenient to take insulin.

We talked to team member, Eden, about their project.

OWL: Why did you choose to create the P.S. 3000?

Eden: We wanted to work together on an innovative idea that would help others. We found out that diabetes is connected to all of us. Nicolette’s dad, Eden’s grandmother, and Amy’s mother all have diabetes. We decided to invent something that would help them out.

OWL: What did you do to celebrate your Honourable Mention award?

Eden: Well, when we found out, there were multiple high fives, and jumping! All of the families attended Markham Delta Hotel to celebrate. The Chair of the program made a presentation, then we were called up on stage, and shook hands with all of the people from Toshiba and NCSA. We received a mouse pad, t-shirt, and little fish tank which was 10 cm x 5 cm. Inside were three little shrimp. I named mine Chubby, Silver, and Albino.

OWL: What advice do you have for others who are interested in science and technology inventions?

Eden: Make sure your invention is practical, and could be a possible product of the future that would work properly. Be creative, and think outside of the box. Don’t be afraid to do something different than everyone else.

Note from the Editor: I was really excited to learn about this idea. I have type 1 diabetes, too. So I definitely would be interested in the P.S. 3000, and it’s youth like Team P.S. 3000 that can make a difference. Awesome work!

To find out more about the ExploraVision program, click here.

Next week, we’ll hear from Team Ocular!

-Kim, owlblog@owlkids.com