Prosthetics Club Experience

I am a firm believer in the power of technology to help those in need rather than simply to make life more comfortable for those who are already well-off. The one experience that did the most to instill this belief was my involvement with the Prosthetics Club at Sam Houston High School. Incorporated into our engineering class’s curriculum, we researched, modified, and created 3d-printed hands for children in our area who suffered from birth defects or other circumstances that resulted in them lacking one or both hands. Through my involvement with this club, I not only helped provide these kids with affordable and easily-replaceable prosthetics, but I also learned how effective new technologies can be at changing lives for the better. Before we began printing the children's hands, we always made sure to meet with them in person. This gave us a chance to take measurements of their arms and create plaster casts of where their arms ended, which were later used to easily test out the prosthetics’ fits. Perhaps more important than taking measurements, meeting with the children allowed us to get to know them and their specific needs or desires. 3d-printing fiber comes in a variety of colors, so we could even ask them what color they wanted their prosthetic to be. I feel that seemingly trivial preferences like that are still important because it lets …show more content…
This is reflective of how technology as a whole can have a positive influence on everyone, no matter their specific circumstances. I felt this to be true before I started working the Prosthetics Club, but the feeling of giving our first finished hand to a child and seeing his reaction is what solidified that belief. One of my goals in life is to continue helping people achieve greater and greater things as I grow older and become further educated in