On Wednesday, students at Calavera Hills Middle School in Carlsbad will be recognized for creating prosthetic devices using 3D printers that will help children around the world.
SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) — On Wednesday, students at Calavera Hills Middle School in Carlsbad will be recognized for creating prosthetic devices using 3D printers that will help children around the world.
Innovation distinguished middle school students.
The Makerspace program at Calavera Hills is an elective class where students have the freedom to think and create outside the box.
Last year, students started learning more about 3D printing and how to implement it in real-world solutions.
The inspiration came from a similar program on the east coast where students created prosthetics.
Danny Foote and Mason Headrick, both eighth graders, are considered experts in 3D printing at school.
On average, it takes about six hours to print a prosthetic hand. Students use a special kit to assemble it.
So far, the class has completed eight prostheses and has two more in the works.
All were mailed to children in need around the world.
For their efforts, Calavera Hills will receive an innovation award – including a $5,000 grant from Balfour Beatty Construction and four new 3D printers courtesy of Robo3D in San Diego.
The awards ceremony will take place at SeaWorld at 4 p.m. and is sponsored by the Classroom of the Future Foundation.