IMSA Service Model Research Project

Problem Statement

Acknowledging the lack of a repair model for the G1 launch in the United States, as well as foreseeing difficulties in many of the G1 launch communities world-wide, we, the students of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy OLPC Chapter, hereby propose a short term research project to identify repair problems and propose effective methods for developing educationally based repair centers world wide.

Proposal

Model

We propose a multi-track repair model. One track will go directly through the chapter—n [number] of machines will be assessed, diagnosed, and repaired by members of the chapter. Another track will go through classes—the Computer Science and Emerging Technology and/or the Electronics students will assess, diagnose and repair n machines. The remaining n machines will be repaired by students together with local engineers and computer scientists. Members and non-members of the chapter will be partnered up with professionals to assess, diagnose and repair the machines.

Time line

It is our hope to complete the repairs and log all the relevant data by the end of the 2007-2008 school year. This means that by May, 31 2008, we will have completed all possible repairs and entered all the data into a database. At this time, we will begin the write-up of our methods, results and findings. We will target the write-up to other educational institutions in the US and worldwide.