Track: High School STEM Competition

Abstract

Technology has become an integral part of education in both courses that utilize it but also as an alternative method of teaching. Due to the current ongoing pandemic, online learning has been skyrocketing in popularity, raising concerns regarding the workstation setup of preschool students and how the current designs can lead to them having musculoskeletal disorders and other diseases. The researchers aimed to model an ergonomically designed workstation that is catered specifically to preschool students from the ages four to six. This was done through a survey to identify the factors affecting the students’ comfortability through correlation and multiple regression analysis, along with their comfort levels which were evaluated using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment tool (RULA) and Corlett’s and Bishop’s discomfort questionnaire. The results of the correlation analysis displayed that the sitting posture (r= seat height, and table height) strongly affect a preschooler's discomfort while using the workstation. Additionally, the regression equation implies that the RULA score and seat height both add to students' discomfort, while the backrest height greatly reduces it for every value that was added. With the results garnered, the researchers were able to design three chairs and four tables that are suitable for preschool students.