What began as a personal project to create a 3D-printed hand has evolved into a transformative journey for 13-year-old Lois Agnello and her classmates at The Nature School in Port Macquarie, New South Wales. Born with only part of her left hand, Lois approached her science and technology teacher with a simple request: to use the school’s 3D printer to make a prosthetic hand.
“Being born without a hand doesn’t really stop me,” Lois said. “I wanted to create my own hand with my friends so I could show them what it’s like.”
Lois had been using a prosthetic hand since the age of eight, but her curiosity and determination led her to seek a more personalized solution. Her teacher, Lloyd Godson, was immediately supportive and saw the potential for a broader educational experience.
From Idea to Innovation
The students’ interest soared after Lois shared a video about her prosthetic hand. “It really struck a chord with a bunch of her peers,” Mr. Godson said. The group accessed an open-source design from the Australian charity Free 3D Hands and embarked on the project.
It took three months of lunchtime meetings and trials with different materials before the group was ready to print and assemble their first 3D-printed hand. “We were all super excited about it,” Mr. Godson remarked. The students experimented with various fibers to enhance the design, a significant learning curve for many who had never used a 3D printer before.
“It was a big learning curve — most of them had never used a 3D printer before,” Mr. Godson said.
Continuous Improvement and Collaboration
The first prototype, although basic, was a success. Triggered by upper-arm activity via a plastic wrist, the hand could pick up objects and move. Lois was thrilled with the outcome. “I was like, ‘Oh my god this is crazy,'” she said. “Like, I didn’t even know if it would work.”
The students continued to refine their design, producing three more versions of the hand, each more advanced than the last. Their focus has now shifted towards increasing the comfort of the prosthetic. Free 3D Hands founder Mat Bowtell and his engineering team have been instrumental in guiding the students through this process.
“They were very enthusiastic in being a part of the brainstorming process in regard to what we might be able to improve in the next design,” Bowtell said.
Student Wren McDowell expressed her joy in the design process and the impact of helping others. “It makes me feel pretty good, because we are designing loads of different styles,” she said. Joel Banwell, another student, shared his enthusiasm for enhancing the hand further. “I felt fairly good that Lois was able to get a hand that worked and it made me want to make one that was even better,” he said.
Recognition on the Global Stage
The project has garnered international attention, being selected to represent Australia at the Be the Change Summit in Japan. This global initiative encourages young leaders to share projects addressing challenges such as climate change, mental health, and inequality.
Mr. Godson expressed his excitement at the opportunity for Lois to share her story with thousands of young innovators. “To see her in Tokyo talking about her limb difference and how Mr. Bowtell’s work had helped her and others would be incredible,” he said.
Lois hopes her story will inspire attendees to consider creating 3D-printed prosthetics in their own countries. “Other kids will be like, ‘Woah, that’s cool — like, can I try that?'” she said.
The Broader Implications
This project not only highlights the potential of technology in education but also underscores the importance of inclusivity and innovation in addressing personal and societal challenges. By engaging students in real-world problem-solving, projects like these foster a sense of empowerment and possibility.
As Lois and her classmates continue to refine their designs, the impact of their work extends beyond the classroom, offering a glimpse into a future where young innovators lead the way in creating solutions that are both practical and transformative.
