Introduction: Helping Hand

Sugru is a self-setting rubber that can be formed by hand. It moulds like play-dough, bonds to almost anything and turns into a strong, flexible silicone rubber overnight.

Three lovely ladies were super excited to find a way to make the breakfast/lunch in the cafeteria an easier time for a special needs student and for the aides that help her. This student has trouble feeding herself and uses modified utensils to eat. She loves yogurt and apple sauce, and each day when she eats this, she has to have an aide hold the container for her. To help this situation, students braided sugru to make a 1/2 inch ring and molded the edges to adhere it on her table. This ring will hold her container and allow her to be more independent.

Step 1: But the First Time

But the first time that the student used the braided structure, she scooped her yogurt out of the holder. Students then went back to the drawing board to improve the original design.

Step 2: Success

As explained in the videos, students added more coverage area to adhere the ring better to the table. They also added flippers to hold the yogurt cup better - especially on the side that the student would be scooping toward. This ring now allows the student to eat independently every day.