Module 06 · Otoe-Missouria Tribe

Pigeon Clan

RUSJE · ROO-s jay

Human Centered Design: Empathy and Designing for Special Groups

The Clan Story

Pigeon Clan

In time the Bear, Beaver, Elk and Eagle Clans met the Buffalo(head), Snake, Owl and Pigeon Clans. The last two, like the Eagles, were from the sky. The Buffalohead (renamed Buffalo), Owl, Pigeon and Snake (now extinct) had their own people, and this sacred possession they offered to the Bear, Beaver, Elk and Eagle Clans.

At first, this gesture was ignored by the Bears and the pipe rejected. But the Bears softened and finally Bear, Beaver, Elk and Eagle Clans accepted the pipe which was an offering of friendship and co-existence. They reciprocated, making a similar gesture of friendship. So it was in these acts that everything began . . .

In the design studio

What students learn and do

Learning objectives

Students will be able to…

Describe how an older adult would feel while conducting Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Describe what issues older adults face in their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Describe strategies to help older adults with their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).

STEM activities

Students will be introduced to the concept of Human Centered Design through Empathic Design. Students will have the opportunity to use an aging simulation suit (G.E.R.T. suit) to help develop solutions through the empathic design process. The empathic design process has been known to spark innovation. The students will redesign a kitchen so that an older adult would easily be able to navigate and use it.