Pre-Engineering Student Designs Prosthetic Leg Cover

Pre-Engineering Student Designs Prosthetic Leg Cover For Student Success Coach

This student’s interest in biomedical engineering solves a real-world problem close to home

Reprinted courtesy of The Canton Repository. By Kelli Weir The pre-engineering instructors at the process. Also, I McKinley High School receive all trust her to finish it,” sorts of requests for help. Weaver said. “I knew The theater department needed a hand designing steps and a folding, movable stage for its production. Guidance counselors wanted honors diploma posters printed on the large format plotter in the engineering department. that it would get completed and I wouldn’t have to sit there and hold her hand through the project to where I’m doing the work. I want her to learn about it.” Engineering teacher Chad Weaver lists each task on a classroom whiteboard until he can find a Searching for ‘cool prosthetic leg cover’ student with the time and skills to Cunningham immecomplete it. diately said yes. She This year’s list included an unusually titled project: “Tim’s leg.” already was interested in biomedical engineering. She also was Tim is Tim Fischer, a student suc- looking for a project to cess coach at McKinley. His leg is help fulfill her obligathe prosthesis he’s been using for tions so she could start more than two decades after bat- on her Gold Award for tling bone cancer as a teenager. Girls Scouts. Fischer, a McKinley graduate who is Cunningham started in his first year working at McKinley, the project in April, was walking by the career-technical first by researching to classrooms in January when he saw see what types of simthe pre-engineering students were ilar products already learning how to design and print were out there. 3D projects. She needed someHe asked Weaver whether a stu- thing that would wrap Kelsie Cunningham uses problem-solving skills to help Tim Fischer with a real-world challenge. dent could help solve a problem with his prosthetic leg: He was tired around the prosthetic leg, which measured only 1.5 inch- Five different prosthetic designs of having his pant leg flap in the es in diameter at the calf region, to Her first try turned out to be more wind, making it obvious that he was make it appear as thick as the other pretty than functional. Another verwearing a prosthetic. leg. But the wrap-around couldn’t sion was too tall and unnecessarily Fischer said no affordable over-thecounter solutions are available. compromise the integrity of the prosthesis, which costs thousands of dollars. covered the top portion of the prosthetic that already measured the same circumference as Fis“Every time you do something like this, it’s custom,” he said. “Every leg is different. It’s not like you can go to Prosthetics ‘R’ Us.” Weaver asked then-junior Kelsie Cunningham whether she could tackle the project. “Her 3D modeling skills are very good and she really thinks through Not knowing exactly what to call it, Cunningham searched “Cool prosthetic leg cover.”” She found a range of devices from those with Velcro fasteners to molded plastic. Using the school’s 3D modeling software, Cunningham began to design a type of cuff with a hinge. cher’s other leg. Each prototype took seven hours to print on McKinley’s 3D printer. Each quality 3D print took 20 hours to complete. After five iterations, Cunningham came up with the final design: A roughly 5.5-inch tall circular cuff with a hinge and holes dotting the sides. She presented Fischer with a black version and a red version – McKinley’s school colors – during the last week of school. “I love it. It functions just the way it’s supposed to,” Fischer said. Cunningham said the project has strengthened her interest in becoming a biomedical engineer. She’s considering exploring a career where she could design prosthetics. “One of my biggest things is that I like helping people and I think that it would make a lot of people happy and it would help them a lot,” she said.

WE’RE HIRING!

www.uwstark.org

t Continued From Page 1 Student Essay Earns Trip To Washington D.C.

8th-grade students participated in a nationwide essay contest. Do the Write Thing is a unique national program designed to give middle-school students an outlet to communicate in classroom discussions, and then in writing, about how violence impacts their daily lives. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sponsored Ohio’s contest. In addition to exposing the causes and effects of violence, students are asked to share their ideas on how to reduce violence in their community. The program asks students to express in stories, poems, and songs, or any other written forms the violence they’ve faced, with an emphasis on exploring key questions: How does violence affect your daily life? What are some of the causes of youth violence in your community? What can you as an individual do to reduce youth violence in your community? The district had 18 finalists and Alex, along with Da’Mariyah Skillern of Crenshaw (who did not attend) were chosen as ambassadors. Alex was in the capitol with 26 students from across the country. Alex said that the highlights of the visit were exploring a new city, meeting new people, and learning about how other writers, and people in general, see the world in a completely different way than he does. He said he hopes middle schoolers will take on the challenge and compete in the contest this year. “Just try to be open about everything and let your creativity flow. Just make sure that you stay on the topic,” he advises. “Even if you don’t win your competition, just know that the important thing is that you know about youth violence. Also, if you do end up winning it is a great experience because of the time that you are given to explore at your own free will.” His teacher, Lisa Hart, said it was an incredible experience to be treated to this trip. “The organization paid to fly us from Akron-Canton Airport to Reagan International Airport and for four nights at the Yours Truly hotel near DuPont Circle,” she said. “I am a fan of public transportation, so I enjoyed the convenience of the Metro and people-watching. The National Museum of African American History and Culture was a definite highlight.” Hart said that the writers from all over the country were such an interesting group of 7th and 8th graders. “I loved reading their essays and hearing about their experiences. Many kids shared painful memories of violence and showed inspiring resilience. Their ideas for how

Alex and Jennifer Ketchum in Washington D.C.

Essay winner Alex Ketchum and his 8th grade ELA teacher, Mrs. Lisa Hart.

youth can help stop violence were thoughtful and original,” she said. She plans to advise students through the essay process again this school year. “Sadly, every middle school student has personal experiences related to violence because of what surrounds them in our culture. I will advise students to write honestly and clearly. The local committee chose well-structured essays with strong voices.” She added of the trip, “Alex and his mom are fun traveling companions! I love teaching writing; this trip was an unexpected bonus. I was honored to get to accompany Alex and fortunate to have been his ELA teacher last year.”

beat Massillon! Join The fight! You don’t need a helmet and shoulder pads to...

You get to beat Massillon and feel good knowing that your blood donation can save up to three lives! Massillon vs. McKinley Blood Battle 28th Annual Participating donors will receive a FREE Blood Battle T-shirt while supplies last! October 17th, 2022 McKinley High School Auxiliary Gym from 8 AM – 2 PM Timken High School Main Hall from 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM Use Group Code 3771 to get on the scoreboard!