What began as a personal project for 13-year-old Lois Agnello has blossomed into an inspiring educational journey for her 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 the idea of using the school’s 3D printer to create a prosthetic hand. Her ambition quickly turned into a collaborative effort that has captured the imagination of her peers.
“Being born without a hand doesn’t really stop me,” Lois explained. “I wanted to create my own hand with my friends so I could show them what it’s like.” The young innovator had been using a prosthetic hand since she was eight, but she saw an opportunity to not only improve her own experience but to engage her classmates in a meaningful project.
From Concept to Creation
Lois’s teacher, Lloyd Godson, noted the students’ enthusiasm after Lois presented a video about her prosthetic hand. “It really struck a chord with a bunch of her peers,” he said. This collective interest led them to explore an open-source design provided by Free 3D Hands, an Australian charity specializing in 3D-printed prosthetics.
The project was not without its challenges. Over the course of three months, the students met during lunchtimes, experimenting with various materials and refining their design. “It was a big learning curve — most of them had never used a 3D printer before,” Mr. Godson remarked. The first prototype, although basic, was functional, allowing Lois to perform tasks such as picking up objects.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god this is crazy,'” Lois exclaimed. “Like, I didn’t even know if it would work.”
Continuous Improvement and Collaboration
Since their initial success, the students have collaborated closely with Free 3D Hands to enhance their design. They have produced three more iterations, each more sophisticated than the last, focusing now on improving comfort. Mat Bowtell, founder of Free 3D Hands, praised the students’ involvement in the brainstorming process.
Student Wren McDowell expressed her satisfaction with the project. “It makes me feel pretty good, because we are designing loads of different styles,” she said. Meanwhile, fellow student Joel Banwell found joy in the challenge of refining the hand. “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 shared.
Global Recognition and Future Prospects
The project has gained international attention, earning a spot at the Be the Change Summit in Japan. This global initiative brings together young leaders to address pressing global issues such as climate change, mental health, and inequality. At the summit, Lois will have the opportunity to share her story with thousands of young innovators from around the world.
Mr. Godson expressed his excitement about Lois’s upcoming presentation in Tokyo. “To see her talking about her limb difference and how Mr. Bowtell’s work has helped her and others will be incredible,” he said. Lois hopes that her story will inspire other attendees to explore 3D printing technology in their own countries.
“Other kids will be like, ‘Woah, that’s cool — like, can I try that?'” Lois said, envisioning the impact of her presentation.
This project not only highlights the power of innovation and collaboration among young students but also serves as a testament to the potential of technology to transform lives. As Lois and her classmates continue to refine their designs, they exemplify how curiosity and determination can lead to meaningful change.
