Ellis Students Test da Vinci Surgical Robot

Upper School students from the Introduction to Computer Science course recently visited Allegheny Health Network Forbes Hospital in Monroeville to see the da Vinci Surgical System as a precursor to their upcoming robotics unit. Used by surgeons for minimally invasive surgeries, the da Vinci Surgical System enables doctors to perform general laparoscopic surgical procedures with enhanced dexterity and improved accuracy.
Dressed head-to-toe in surgical attire, students joined Ellis parent and general surgeon Dr. Alessia Tandin in the operating room to learn about the intricacies of the robot and its applications at the hospital. Dr. Tandin shared how the robot cuts down on patient recovery time and pain, reduces even the smallest human error like a shaking hand, and enables her to perform surgeries with enhanced precision and comfort. But she was also sure to emphasize that robots won’t be taking the place of doctors in the operating room anytime soon.

“I want the students to understand that having technological machines like robots in the operating room doesn’t mean that a human being is not executing the surgery,” Dr. Tandin shared. “The robot is a tool: a very advanced surgical tool created to help surgeons do their job. And while technology like this accentuates a surgeon’s skill, it doesn’t replace it.”

Students then tested out the robot for themselves, completing a training module on a secondary robotic simulator that surgeons and staff use to practice. Surprised at how second nature the robot was to use, students manipulated the robot’s “hands” as they practiced sorting jacks, stretching cones, and completing tasks.

By testing the simulations for themselves, students were able to witness how technology is applied in the practical sense in the operating room. Reflecting on the importance of students seeing real-world examples of computer science, Dr. Tandin said, “on one side of medicine there is math, physics, and computer science, and on the other side there is anatomy, biology, physiology. As technology evolves, students need to understand the intersection between science and the human body, and the application of the theoretical skills they learn in the classroom.”

In today’s digital world, interdisciplinary experiences show students that computer science and digital literacy are key skill sets that cross disciplines, fields, and careers. Computer Science Teacher Michele Lombardi, who accompanied students to Forbes Hospital, said, “it’s crucial to introduce different applications of computer science like the daVinci Surgical System to students because they need to understand the mechanics and technology behind it, even if they're not planning to be a robotics engineer.” She adds, “if they’re interested in pursuing a career in medicine, chances are there’s going to be even more robotics in the operating room by the time they’re practicing. By giving them a strong foundation in computer science, students will be able to think about problems and solutions differently, regardless of their career path.”

According to Code.org, 67 percent of computing jobs are outside of the tech sector and have 40 percent more earning potential. With computing jobs among the highest-paying and fastest-growing occupations, Ellis faculty know how critical it is to expose students to an array of fields that are impacted and influenced by computer science. By offering opportunities that are impossible to recreate in the classroom, students garner a deeper understanding of real-world computer science applications and are in turn empowered to see themselves in STEM fields in the future.
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