What started as an idea to print a 3D hand for herself has turned into a passion project for 13-year-old Lois Agnello and her school.
The year 7 student, who was born with only part of her left hand, approached her science and technology teacher to see if she could use the school’s 3D printer to make the 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, who attends The Nature School in Port Macquarie on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, had been using a prosthetic hand she was given when she was eight years old.
Her teacher, Lloyd Godson, said the students’ interest was piqued when Lois showed them a video about her hand.
“It really struck a chord with a bunch of her peers,” he said.
‘Big learning curve’
The group accessed an open-source design for a 3D hand from Australia-based charity Free 3D Hands and went to work.
It took three months of lunchtime meetings and trials of different materials before the group was ready to print and assemble the first 3D-printed hand.
“We were all super excited about it,” Mr Godson said.
He said the students experimented with fibres and worked to improve the design.
“It was a big learning curve — most of them had never used a 3D printer before,” Mr Godson said.
The first prototype was basic, but the hand — triggered by upper-arm activity via a plastic wrist — was able to pick up things and move.
Lois said it exceeded her expectations.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god this is crazy,’” she said.
“Like, I didn’t even know if it would work.”
One hand at a time
The students have since worked with Free 3D Hands to refine their design and have printed three more versions of the hand, each more advanced than the last.
Now they are focusing on increasing the comfort of the hand.
Free 3D Hands founder Mat Bowtell and his engineering team have continued to work with Lois and the students.
“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,” he said.
Student Wren McDowell said she enjoyed the design process and helping other people.
“It makes me feel pretty good, because we are designing loads of different styles,” she said.
Joel Banwell said his favourite part of the project was finding what was needed to enhance 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 said.
On the world stage
The project has been selected to represent Australia at the Be the Change Summit in Japan.
The summit is part of a global initiative for young leaders to share projects to tackle global challenges such as climate change, mental health and inequality.
Mr Godson said Lois would share her story with thousands of other young innovators.
He said to see her in Tokyo talking about her limb difference and how Mr Bowtell’s work had helped her and others would be incredible.
Lois hopes sharing her story will inspire some of the attendees to make 3D hands in their own countries.
“Other kids will be like, ‘Woah, that’s cool — like, can I try that?’” she said.
