Middle school students are creating prosthetic legs to learn how technology aids people with disabilities.
At Avalon Middle School in Milton, Florida, twenty seventh graders in a STEAM elective class have designed and constructed prosthetic legs, combining computer design with hands-on construction.
“I wanted to give them a real-world problem,” said teacher Margaret Salter.
Salter has a master’s degree in biomedical science. She is an Innovate teacher, under a professional development program in Santa Rosa County that promotes STEAM elements in curriculum.
The project involved research, artistic design, and a Power Point presentation. Students had little guidance, and used materials such as metal posts, springs, plungers, and knee braces. Some of the designs required welding a drilling, which Salter did.
The final product was not medical grade, but students learned the theory behind the design. Some even patterned the legs after the prototypes used in Special Olympics.
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