Gdańsk Tech Student Creates an Interactive Educational Model on the Menstrual Cycle

The project was created as part of the nationwide program "Universities of the Future". Its aim is to develop a modern educational tool that will present the processes occurring in a woman’s body during the menstrual cycle in an accessible and engaging way.

The idea for "Cycle Live" was the result of combining the skills Justyna Matulewicz gained during her studies with her interests in women’s health and education.

– I wanted to combine the skills I acquired during my studies, primarily designing in CAD programs, with my interests in feminism and women’s health. I chose the topic of the menstrual cycle because there is a lack of educational tools regarding female physiology on the market, and gynecological health remains a taboo subject in our country – says Justyna Matulewicz.

Physiology Presented in Three Dimensions

The model is three-dimensional, which facilitates the recognition of individual organs and memorizing their structure. It is equipped with three buttons activating different variants of the menstrual cycle: a normal cycle, an anovulatory cycle occurring, among other causes, in polycystic ovary syndrome, and a premenopausal cycle.

Users of the model can observe, among other things, the maturation of egg cells, ovulation, the formation of the corpus luteum, and menstruation. The movable wall of the uterus also demonstrates the thickening of the mucous membrane during the successive stages of the cycle.

Thanks to this solution, phenomena that are usually presented in textbooks as flat illustrations and diagrams can be seen dynamically and spatially.

Responding to the Needs of Students and Teachers

During the business mentoring conducted as part of the "Universities of the Future" project, the student conducted surveys among upper secondary school female students. The questions concerned, among others, the average length of the menstrual cycle and ovulation. The results showed that many young women have difficulty providing correct answers even to basic questions about the functioning of their own bodies.

However, awareness of diseases such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome is increasing. Social media and educational campaigns contribute to this. Nevertheless, reliable and accessible materials that can be used during school lessons are still needed.

The project has already been consulted with a physician. During its implementation, Justyna Matulewicz also cooperated with a scientific mentor and participated in academic classes on this subject. In the future, she would like to expand the team to include specialists dealing with gynecology.

Interest in the model is also expressed by teachers, who point out the lack of appropriate educational tools and difficulties related to teaching about the reproductive system. The next stage of the project will be tests conducted in schools, allowing the model to be adapted to the real needs of students and educators.

Not Only for Use in Schools

"Cycle Live" may also find application beyond school education. The project author sees the possibility of using the model in gynecological clinics, during educational workshops, and in preventive campaigns.

The model could help doctors explain the processes occurring in their patients’ bodies and discuss specific health problems. The student has already established contact with local organizations interested in conducting workshops on gynecological health.

The "Universities of the Future" Project

"Cycle Live" is being implemented as part of the nationwide "Universities of the Future" project. At Gdańsk Tech, the project activities are coordinated by the Young Scientists’ Office. The project manager at Gdańsk Tech is Dr hab. Eng. Mariusz Kaczmarek, university professor, Vice-Rector for Education.

The coordinating institution for the project is the National Centre for Research and Development.

More information about the "Universities of the Future" project