The project originated from a course in Engineering courses at Feevale University, and materials were delivered this month

In the first semester of this year, a group of six academics from the Chemical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering courses at Feevale University carried out an infrastructure project at Lar do Idoso Carinho, in Novo Hamburgo. To bring them closer to the real demands of the community, students Ágata da Silva, Diego José Cardoso, Jefferson Zenaro, Morgana Corrêa do Nascimento, Rafaela Tainá Gaike and Samara Preuss carried out theoretical studies on aging and, after that, they made practical intervention in the entity.

The first stage took place during the Applied Project I discipline when, guided by professors Patrice Monteiro de Aquim and Norberto Kuhn Junior, the students carried out assessments on the main physical and mental problems in the elderly, structure and well-being of the elderly in homes, as well as such as the importance of physical activities. During this period, they visited the Lar do Idoso Carinho to collect data about the elderly and their needs, evaluate the history of the place, as well as the presence of recreational activities. The group realized the importance of offering residents opportunities for leisure, social interaction and cognitive stimulation and, after analyzing several proposals, the development of educational games was chosen.

Later, in the Applied Project II discipline, under the guidance of teachers Daiana Cristina Metz Arnold and Cristine Kassick, the students chose, designed and made six cognitive stimulation games for the home: puzzle, dominoes, bowling, memory game, maze and fitting. Developed with MDF wood waste that would otherwise be discarded, the games were designed on a larger scale to make it easier for elderly people to handle. The materials were delivered at the beginning of this month, and the academics provided guidance to residents on how to use the games.

According to professor Daiana, it is extremely rewarding for students to carry out actions with a social focus. “The action at home allowed academics to experience the social perspective of engineering, that is, what is the role of the engineer in society more broadly, and how engineering can offer alternatives and solutions to different social situations”, she states.

Experiences like these expand the learning of Feevale University academics, combining technical learning, creativity and social responsibility”, adds Professor Cristine.