Belize Student Wins Platinum at Robotics Olympiad

Nazarene High School Fourth Former Bridget Pineda snagged a platinum medal at this year’s CSO Robotics and Electronics Olympians held in Barbados. Pineda presented virtually on her medical design called Oxy-Flow. She impressed judges, and her total score earned her a medal higher than gold. She worked alongside her mentor, Doctor Abraham Flowers, whom she thanked for the support and guidance. We spoke with Pineda at her school today.

 

Bridget Pineda, Platinum Medalist, CSO-Robotics Olympiad

“Oxy-Flow in simple term is a device that will provide respiratory support to those who need it. It uses a linear actuator to mechanically compress and Ambu bag back and forth to provide breaths for patients who need it. The reason why we made this device is to fill in the gap. Not to replace it, because of course Belize already has ventilators and the purpose is not to fully replace them but to fill in the gaps of maybe EMTs who are in ambulance and have to manually provide CPR and that is physically exhausting and sometime it is inconsistent and those who are not trained properly can cause lung damage to the patient. So the device was to provide the consistent and controlled breaths for patients in need. I was really proud and a bit overwhelmed in a good way because we had to take a lot of time to put in the project, Dr. Flowers and I had to meet during break and lunch to discuss how we are going to do this if the device is working. I don’t think I could have done it without him. He is a great mentor.”