“Movement is the only way you have of affecting the world around you.”
This quote, has grown increasingly relevant, and emphasizes the need to explore this vast world we live in (particularly its problems), and remain unflagging in our efforts to exact meaningful change in developing, and developed communities alike. Our students, have taken this powerful quote literally, combining principles of STEM, and movement (kinetic energy generated through movement) to recreate “Kinetic Tiles.”
The students, Isha Posham, Shaina Kapoor, Amaira Madan, Smyan Kaveti, and Grushnesh Dhyandeep (8A), aim to one day use their iteration to supply power to the children of the Kondakal School. The frequent and long-lasting power cuts they face seriously hinder their intellectual stimulation, thus tainting their educational experience. They have prepared a prototype, and now wish to take their project to the next step!
Kinetic Tiles, are a unique form of flooring, that are installed in a small sector of a room. When a person stands on said tiles, they begin to bend. The downward motion of the foot, is then converted to a rotational motion. This rotational motion, sets off a circuit that produces electricity. The generated electricity, is then stored in a super-capacitor (a battery like component). An individual has the ability to generate between 1 and 10 watts, if they step on it continuously; for reference, a phone charger uses 5 watts of electricity to charge a phone from 0-100%, within the span of 3 hours. This electricity can later be used to supply power to lights, chargers, Wi-Fi hotspots, etc.
If Kinetic Tiles were installed in the Kondakal School, one could argue that the energy efficiency would make students more enthusiastic about learning. The tiles, would instill values of curiosity and critical thinking into their young minds, while allowing them to learn about vital concepts in physics, engineering, and not to mention, sustainability! In summation, Kinetic tiles provide much needed security, whilst being sustainable, therefore this project will enable the students -and simultaneously society as a whole- to flourish in an improved, adapted, and eco-friendly environment!
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