Prosthetics and 3D Printing
This unique and special project involved a very special non-profit organization called Enabling the Future. Integrating science, technology, robotics, engineering, art, and math (STREAM) Middle School students applied learning to some very real-world problems, and got to see first-hand the direct impact their work has on people in need. This project left a lasting impression not only on our students, but on individuals in need of prosthetics in developing countries and around the world!
Guest speakers from VA Long Beach introduced students to the field of prosthetics. Students also took a fieldtrip to Cal State University of Dominguez Hills, a foremost expert facility providing prosthetics and orthotics to people in need. With this introduction to the process students began the engineering design process to build their own prosthetics from basic recycled materials.
Ultimately they researched, manufactured and troubleshoot different designs for prosthetic hands using the MakerBot 3-D printer in the X-STREAM Lab, presenting their findings to parents and community members in writing, public speaking, and self-made videos.
This project brought together The Hebrew Academy’s core values of kindness and love for one another along with our deep commitment to the cutting edge education necessary to be competitive in a modern and ever-changing world economy driven by technology. The students hard work and achievement was recognized by the offices of our State Senator Thom Umberg as well as Assemblyman Diep and our local city council who all attended the curriculum showcase and awarded certificates of accomplishment and recognition for the students contribution.