Nurturing Future Problem Solvers: Battelle's Partnership with Design Students

Image courtesy of The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences Department of Design

At Battelle, we believe in the power of innovation and the importance of nurturing the next generation of problem solvers. Our ongoing involvement in The Ohio State University (OSU) Department of Design Capstone program is a testament to this commitment.

For the last two semesters, our Human Centered Design and Industrial Design teams have joined forces with other Central Ohio communities to provide a unique engagement for students in the Industrial Design program to experience the world of professional practice.

Each semester, organizations like Battelle present a “sandbox scenario” — an open-ended challenge that students can tackle, applying their creativity and technical skills. This semester, Battelle introduced a particularly compelling scenario focused on Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs). We challenged students to design solutions ranging from autonomous transportation systems to innovative medical devices that could significantly improve readiness, response, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

With additional guidance from OSU’s industrial design capstone instructors – Assoc. Prof. Sébastien Proulx and Asst. Prof. William Nickley – four talented industrial design students chose to take on Battelle's scenario. Throughout the capstone, these students were designers and project managers. They were responsible for scheduling meetings, setting deadlines, and responding to client feedback, simulating a real-world product design and development process. Battelle acted as the “client” and provided mentorship and guidance, ensuring that the students came up with creative solutions and understood the intricacies of bringing a product from ideation to completion.

Two students earned recognition for their remarkable work. Jason Dionisio’s automated tourniquet was awarded the Ohio Eminent Scholar’s Selection for its innovative approach and potential impact on emergency medical response. Zoe Shay-Tannas's PullTag triage tagging system was named the Student Winner of the 2024 Core77 Design Awards. Other innovative student outcomes included a stair-friendly stretcher for schools and a litter anchoring system for aircraft.

Battelle's involvement in the Capstone program extends beyond providing scenarios and mentorship; we also support the students financially by offering a stipend for materials and supplies, ensuring they have the necessary resources and materials to bring their visions to life.

This partnership with OSU reflects Battelle's commitment to furthering STEM education and fostering a vibrant community of innovation in Central Ohio. By integrating industry challenges into the academic environment, we provide opportunities for students to apply their skills in meaningful ways, preparing them for future STEM and industrial design careers that make a difference.

We believe we can learn just as much from the students' fresh perspectives as they learn from their experiences in the program.

Through our participation in the OSU Industrial Design Capstone, we are investing in the education of future designers and engineers and reinforcing our role as good neighbors in the Central Ohio community. By fostering an environment where education and industry intersect, we contribute to the broader ecosystem of innovation and growth.