When the power of technology meets teamwork

Since 2014, through Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung has inspired thousands of young people in Latin America to turn their ideas into innovative solutions. In 2023, four young students from the 5th year of secondary school from the Colegio Mayor Secundaria Presidente del Perú presented the "SIFT" project and became one of the winners of Solve for Tomorrow.

Piero Torres is a member of the team that developed SIFT, an innovative solution for the rehabilitation of patients with disabilities or motor limitations. This project is based on the reuse of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles to create filaments for 3D printers, which are used to manufacture functional and low-cost splints. In the following interview, Piero shares his experience in developing this project.

Q: We would like to know what brought you to Solve for Tomorrow.

My friends and I were doing some research, or mapping as my professor would say, and we wanted to find a program to measure the impact of our project. In that sense, Solve for Tomorrow was a great opportunity to make a positive change in our community.

In addition, we wanted to make our project known to more people and, above all, to support María Auxiliadora Hospital, which was our main goal. We also wanted to measure ourselves in terms of impact and sustainability, in addition to the fact that our project should be affordable for low-income people and have a great reach to many people.

Q: On a personal level, what was your experience in this program?

Personally, my experience in the program was very enriching because I was able to learn a lot more, especially when the five finalist teams met. I was able to learn a lot from other teams because we all shared the same mission: to provide a solution to a problem in our environment in our community.

Overall, I came to have a more open mind to problems and find solutions that we can give to those problems.

Q: Can you tell us more about what you learned from Solve for Tomorrow?

The program incorporates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education, which promotes student independence. It is a learning community that inspires the more collaborative work that characterizes science and engineering. Solve for Tomorrow promoted this type of model that tried to provide a solution using technology, engineering, and many other things.

Our team tried to provide a solution using 3D printing to produce the splints that would be used by stroke patients. I think the STEAM model was embedded in every part of our team as we were simultaneously engaged in engineering and management. Throughout our journey at Solve for Tomorrow, we have filled this educational model with a lot of learning.

Q: Regarding the project, what has been the biggest learning you have achieved in the development from the beginning until now?

The first is the power of technology. I think our project showcased that technology could revolutionize the solutions to diseases, disorders and difficulties in the functioning of our body. The lesson I take away for my project is that this technology can be either beneficial or negative depending on how we use it.

The second point is teamwork. The project has helped me to strengthen my collaborative and creative skills, which is essential to achieve my goals. Without support from others, I cannot have a more open perspective, and the results could be very limited. On the other hand, if we have a more open attitude towards the environment, we can get more perspectives and opinions.

The third point was to transform my weaknesses and mistakes into strengths. I was not very confident about my ability speak in front of a large audience. Through Solve for tomorrow, I was able to strengthen them and overcome the fear.

Q: What are your expectations for the future with this project?

Eventually, I want hospitals to have their own equipment and system to produce the splint themselves: 3D printer, laptop, the filament, which is the main material for 3D printing, the program, the software, elements that is required for 3D printing. This year, our main goal is to cover all the costs of materials, tools and space so that the hospital can use this project, this solution, to help people suffering from stroke.

Q: What would you say to people considering participating in Solve for Tomorrow?

May this project be an example for other people, young people, students who want to develop a solution for their community. If you have an idea that provides a solution for your community, whether it is about healthcare, environment, or many other things, take it into action and find a trustworthy person who can help you. Because, not only in Peru but in the world, there are a lot of problems, and it is up to each one of us to be able to find a solution. If we think about tomorrow, we must first think about the present. I would like SIFT to encourage more young people to provide more solutions to these problems in the world.

Reference

• Samsung Electronics Newsroom (Peru): [Entrevista] Piero Torres: “Este año queremos incluir nuestro método en el hospital María Auxiliadora”