I am pursuing several topics, but they mainly fall into 2 categories, biking and education.
Biking
Bicycle riding is a healthy form of transportation for the body and the planet. New York City and other dense urban environments can be an ideal means of transport. However, it is the transportation of choice for only a few. Safety is one major concern that is held by all, but theft, weather and other factors can influence decisions on whether or not to bike.
My main focus will be on increasing the usage of bicycles in NYC. This can be achieved by getting new people to choose bicycling as a way of getting around the city or by increasing usage among recreational riders.
Hypothesis:
A. Increase bicycle usage through customization and DIY bicycle building.
• Develop personal connection between bikes and owners through construction and customization
• Reclamation of abandoned bicycle parts
B. Increase bicycle use in NYC by making biking safer
1. Stakeholders:
• Bicycle Associations
Increased membership and better environment for biking
• Environmental Groups
Reduced usage of fossil fuel based transportation
• Runners and fitness minded individuals
interested in using work commute as opportunity for exercise
• Bicycle Shops
Their stake is increased sales of bicycles and accessories
• Department of Transportation
2. Research Plan
• Necessary Topic Knowledge
• Why: Understanding why current users choose bicycle transport and what prevents others from biking in the city
• Biking demographics
• Usage statistics
• Usage prior to bicycle construction projects vs post construction
• Plan for Gathering necessary knowledge
• Interview: TIME’S UP Bike Repair Class – interested in construction and repair
• Questionnaire for New Yorkers to answer the why some people bike and others don’t.
• Plan for utilizing findings to formulate
Education
Educating the children of today can make the greatest impact on tomorrow. Therefore, cultivating today’s youth to pursue careers in science can create a generation of capable minds to create solutions to growing problems relating to the environment, health, and economy.
Rates of obesity have steadily increased over the years and with it, the occurrence of other health related issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Education in nutritious eating habits at a young age can set children on the path toward good health and prevent the destructive behavior that leads to obesity.
Hypothesis:
A. Generate interest among today’s youth in science through education in cooking and food science.
B. Reduce obesity by educating children in cooking and nutrition.
1. Stakeholders:
• Parents
Concern for health of children, participate in homework through kitchen supervision
• Children
Prevention of future health problems
• Board of Education
Implementers of the new curriculum
• Future employers of
• Health Care Providers
Interested in lower medical expenses through reinforcing positive behaviors to prevent future Health conditions
2. Research Plan
• Necessary Topic Knowledge
Metrics for interest in science among children
Rates of obesity
• Plan for Gathering necessary knowledge
Interview teachers
US Census data
Statistics for careers in science
Standardized test scores
Biking
Bicycle riding is a healthy form of transportation for the body and the planet. New York City and other dense urban environments can be an ideal means of transport. However, it is the transportation of choice for only a few. Safety is one major concern that is held by all, but theft, weather and other factors can influence decisions on whether or not to bike.
My main focus will be on increasing the usage of bicycles in NYC. This can be achieved by getting new people to choose bicycling as a way of getting around the city or by increasing usage among recreational riders.
Hypothesis:
A. Increase bicycle usage through customization and DIY bicycle building.
• Develop personal connection between bikes and owners through construction and customization
• Reclamation of abandoned bicycle parts
B. Increase bicycle use in NYC by making biking safer
1. Stakeholders:
• Bicycle Associations
Increased membership and better environment for biking
• Environmental Groups
Reduced usage of fossil fuel based transportation
• Runners and fitness minded individuals
interested in using work commute as opportunity for exercise
• Bicycle Shops
Their stake is increased sales of bicycles and accessories
• Department of Transportation
2. Research Plan
• Necessary Topic Knowledge
• Why: Understanding why current users choose bicycle transport and what prevents others from biking in the city
• Biking demographics
• Usage statistics
• Usage prior to bicycle construction projects vs post construction
• Plan for Gathering necessary knowledge
• Interview: TIME’S UP Bike Repair Class – interested in construction and repair
• Questionnaire for New Yorkers to answer the why some people bike and others don’t.
• Plan for utilizing findings to formulate
Education
Educating the children of today can make the greatest impact on tomorrow. Therefore, cultivating today’s youth to pursue careers in science can create a generation of capable minds to create solutions to growing problems relating to the environment, health, and economy.
Rates of obesity have steadily increased over the years and with it, the occurrence of other health related issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Education in nutritious eating habits at a young age can set children on the path toward good health and prevent the destructive behavior that leads to obesity.
Hypothesis:
A. Generate interest among today’s youth in science through education in cooking and food science.
B. Reduce obesity by educating children in cooking and nutrition.
1. Stakeholders:
• Parents
Concern for health of children, participate in homework through kitchen supervision
• Children
Prevention of future health problems
• Board of Education
Implementers of the new curriculum
• Future employers of
• Health Care Providers
Interested in lower medical expenses through reinforcing positive behaviors to prevent future Health conditions
2. Research Plan
• Necessary Topic Knowledge
Metrics for interest in science among children
Rates of obesity
• Plan for Gathering necessary knowledge
Interview teachers
US Census data
Statistics for careers in science
Standardized test scores
Tools
1 comment:
David, now that you have identified the general theme and ethical position of your thesis, I would like to encourage you to start thinking seriously about how you would approach some of these problems using the tools of product design. Can we really expect to educate the public through the products we design for their use?
steven
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