Personal Project Spotlight - Ziyan Parbatani

How do you think the AKA Strand “Economics for Development” plays a role in your project and interacts with Scientific and Technical Innovations?

I think Economics for Development played a major role. Exploring this Strand encouraged me to understand the connections between economic activity and quality of life.  I was determined to not only enhance my skills but also to contribute to society. Although many prosthetics already exist, they are not affordable for everyone.  Creating a cheaper solution using this prototype could be an ideal solution. Scientific and technical innovations drive advancements but making these innovations available is crucial.

Were there any ethical issues you needed to consider before pursuing this area of research?

There were no ethical concerns as such.  My research on this project wasn’t only targeting the differently-abled, but industries and manufacturers as well. When improved, hospitals could rely on this technology as well.

Which IB learner profile attribute would you say helped you through the process?

Various aspects of the learner profile have guided me through this journey including being courageous and open-minded.  Yet the most significant attribute was to be reflective.  It was by reflecting on myself and my project that I was able to bring it to life. I was able to reflect on the quality of what I was doing and improve it.

What did you discover that surprised you? 

The journey to completing this project was exciting but most importantly it gave me exposure to the robotic community and the advancements that are being made. We are getting closer to technological advancements which are hard to predict! 

Did your final product meet your expectations? What do you think you could have improved upon?

Yes, my final product met my expectation of creating a prototype of an animatronic arm. I still think there is scope for improvement - such as creating a 3-D model to better depict the technology and also to make it more durable for long term usage.

Do you think your product is reliable in the context of the real world?

Although my project is a prototype, it accurately demonstrates what an animatronic arm is capable of and how it could be used. 

What words you would use to describe the process of the Personal Projects?

Exciting, knowledgeable, independent, disciplined, critical and most importantly creative! I am grateful that I had this opportunity to discover my interests and develop a product like this. 

Interviewed by Khushi Hajiyani, DP2.