Problem Statement

The education system in rural towns should prepare students for professional careers, including in STEM fields, regardless of gender or economic background. Additionally, women should have professional opportunities to earn income in a workplace that is compatible with cultural norms in their community. Designs for academic tools should offer affordable accessibility to education beyond the

existing opportunities found in rural schools. Designs should also take advantage of local Tourism to offer new products and souvenirs that would impact the local economy.

Special circumstances in third world countries like Tanzania should also be considered. The current education system in Tanzania does face dropout rates throughout all levels of primary school, going as high as a 7% drop out rate for the graduating 5th grade class of 2009 . Current job markets offer women work in agriculture and unpaid labor with a higher frequency while men have better opportunities in pursuing manufacturing and other technical jobs . These current trends show that less resources are invested in a viable workforce than can be found in Maasai women. These factors reveal the need for a flexible career options that can mobilize the unused workforce in the region.

A successful implementation should allow for new academic tools to be formed locally, offering better costs to schools and rural families. Interest within the community for involvement in such a product can improve educational resources, reduce dropout rates, and increase career opportunities for women.

Background

This capstone project was inspired by the Foldscope, a low cost optics education tool made from paper products. A research team at Stanford University designed the affordable, yet durable, design for a microscope that was meant to be implemented in third world countries. The Foldscope was successful in making real-world education and health evaluations attainable in communities that otherwise could not afford the lab equipment [FOLDSCOPE].

Our project aims to offer similar education opportunities for the community as well as providing a potential source of income through a product that could be assembled with technology found in the region. The ease of manufacturing should facilitate economic growth for the community. Resources that are prominent in small towns and third world countries that are worth consideration for this project are paper products and upcycled materials.