Integrative STEM

Challenge Description

According to public health reports, Diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Over 40 million Americans, or 12% of the population, are living with diabetes with 1.5 million new cases diagnosed every year. Many newly diagnosed prediabetes patients struggle to understand the cellular and physiological mechanisms driving the condition and ways to prevent it from becoming a chronic condition in their lives. Clear, accessible health communication is vital to improving patient outcomes and preventative education.

For this year’s challenge, your team will assume the role of Medical Science Educators contracted by a regional health clinic network. Your task is to design an informational patient education kit that explains the root causes and biological mechanisms of Type 2 Diabetes. As an integrative STEM  challenge you are combining science and technology to present a display board and a prototype.  Some terms that will be important to research include insulin production, cellular insulin resistance, and blood glucose buildup. The goal is to translate complex human physiology into an engaging, patient-friendly learning experience.