Triple Helix

Writing this in the Suntreso Government Hospital right now, over an MTN HSPA connection. We’re waiting on a gas station owner to come by and take us to his business. We’ll be installing a machine without electronics today. Helena, the Data Manager of the hospital and our main interlocutor, has said that she really wants a machine with usage monitoring in the hospital. Edward and I will be working on assembling one of those this afternoon.

Our biggest challenges thus far have been adapting the machine to the Ghanaian context. Replacement parts are not readily available, and Helena is worried that the machines will empty very quickly. It is becoming immediately obvious that what we truly need is a locally-made machine. One that can be easily modified to accept the correct amount of money for market rates, and dispense condoms that do not require more packaging than absolutely necessary. We are also hoping that there is someone at KNUST that could work on the electronics component.

During the summer of 2010, Co-PI Audrey Bennett worked with a small group of students from KNUST to explore their understanding of AIDS prevention as well as successful local campaigns. Their participatory design session resulted in a poster titled “Show AIDS the red card” that reflects the World Cup soccer competition that was taking place at the same time as her workshop. To read about the poster, go to: http://www.rpi.edu/research/magazine/fall10/eglash-2.html. This year, she designed preliminary prototypes of the red card (see http://baohouse.org/redcard) that includes a novel text messaging service developed by Triple Helix Fellow David Banks. Read more about the technical development of the cellphone service for HIV/AIDS prevention in Ghana via John Licato’s blog. John Licato is a computer science student hired to do the technical research and programming of the cellphone service.

During the summer of 2011, Co-PI Audrey Bennett and grad fellow, David Banks went back to KNUST in Kumasi to explore the topic of AIDS prevention specifically condom acceptance and attitudes. They looked at ways to use the cultural meanings behind Adinkra Symbols in HIV/AIDs literature.

Many cultural designs are based on mathematical principles. Culturally Situated Design Tools (CSDTs) are web-based software applications that allow students to create simulations of cultural arts— Native American beadwork, African American cornrow hairstyles, urban graffiti, and so forth—using these underlying mathematical principles. This software will help Gk-12 3Helix Grad Fellows engage their mostly minority students who may otherwise be disinterested in STEM academics because they do not see its relevance to their particular lives. As students simulate original artifacts, and develop their own creations, they learn standards-based math and computing.

Visit the CSDTs website

Read about Kirk Jalbert’s workshops using the CSDTs and specifically the Navajo Rug Weaver simulation software at Dine College in Tsaile AZ