1. Duncan Ingram
Susan Lester
Advanced Grammar and Composition
12 March 2012
Senior Project Speech
Over two hundred and fifty thousand people in the United States break or fracture their
ankles each year. The same was true for me in late June of last year. I was attending Valdosta
State University for the Governor’s Honors Program. During my time at VSU I studied as a
Design Major and a Fitness Minor. One day during my Fitness Minor I found myself wearing an
inappropriate shoe for the game that I was playing. Later that afternoon, I would be pleading
with the emergency room doctor not cut my new shoe off even though it was the cause of my
broken ankle. Reluctantly, I admit that I would spend the remainder of my time at VSU on
crutches. At a point during my injury I realized that it had been partly the shoes fault and not a
complete personal error. Being the avid runner that I am this was the perfect opportunity to
design a safe running shoe. So I decided at that point that I would study the biomechanics and
affects that running barefoot as opposed to shod would have on the rest of my body.
Consequently, I decided to write my research paper on the biomechanics of bare foot running.
Currently one issue that Biomechanical engineers have encountered and are dealing with at this
time is the prospect of creating fewer shoes with more technology inside of them. The problem is
style over functionality and how can the engineer produce a shoe that will support natural
running form. Shoe companies over the years have slowly started removing more and more from

2. shoes. My topic is actually more than just a future job it is a lifestyle that helps me with running
issues on a daily basis. My research paper made me realize why change what has been so
perfectly designed, so I created something to protect the foot as opposed to supporting it.
Now I’m going to tell you about how I designed and created a last or a (foot model) and
shoe/sandal. My Facilitator for this project was Ms. Melanie Salas. I felt like Ms. Salas was the
perfect facilitator for me because she had a vast background in design and could help me
immensely. I had been introduced to her my sophomore year when I signed up for the elective
Introduction to Architectural Drawing and Design .Since then I have taken her class every year
and love using my creative thought processes to come up with new designs. Without her help I
am positive that my senior project would not have taken the path it is on. She had inspired me to
think out of the box and do better than normal. What credentials or qualifications your facilitator
has. Without the help of my facilitator I would not have been able to complete my product.
It took several arduous steps to create my product. First I started with a research and
development interview with Danny Abshire of Newton Running. Along with the help of Mr.
Abshire I realized I had to create a last or a plaster foot model. At this step I encountered an issue
with my facilitator it would take me 6 hours to complete the last. The problem was that I could
not create this in several stages it had to be completed all at once. My solution was to finish the
entire last in one night. With the last completed I could finally begin my many trial shoe designs.
After several failures I found the perfect design that would work for me. Furthermore, the
research and development phases of my project included several obstacles that I had to
overcome.

3. Problems with my project have proven to be quite a hassle as well as a valuable learning
experience. One of my problems that my facilitator and I have encountered is meeting time. The
solution however was easier than I thought it would be which was to schedule meetings during
lunch, and on weekends. Another issue I faced was writing my research paper I could not easily
transfer my ideas into writing. Luckily, my amazing literature teacher Mrs. Lester has created
several templates and outlines that I have used to produce the best project possible. The only
other issue I have had with my senior project is meeting tough deadlines. I have conquered this
by setting specific dates and times to work on my project. This also includes working alongside
my facilitator during and through not only my lunch break but hers as well. Thankfully, I have
been able to handle every challenge that has been set before me with the help of teachers and my
facilitator.
Through the senior project I have learned several things about myself both good and bad.
My work habits throughout the senior project have been more polished than I believed they
would be, but there were still times that I forgot a deadline or two. Communication through my
senior project has probably been the key to my success while I am not a great formal writer I
consider myself an exponentially better speaker which I used to my advantage. My senior project
has opened many doors with several designers and scientists across America making me realize
that I do not want a job in the field of biomechanical engineering I want a career in it. In
conclusion I believe that I will pursue a degree in the field of biomechanical engineering and
continue my career as a runner making my career a lifestyle. I would like to thank you for your
time and patience I hope your experience of my senior project was as enlightening as mine.