In a heartwarming display of creativity and determination, a group of high school engineering students in Irving, Texas, turned a middle schooler’s dream into reality by creating a prosthetic arm that allows her to play the cello. When Mia Rodriguez auditioned for the orchestra at Riverbend Middle School, orchestra director Lisa Thompson was immediately inspired to help her succeed, despite Mia being born without her left hand and part of her forearm.
“Mia came to our audition and expressed her desire to join the orchestra as a cellist,” Thompson recalled in a video produced by the school district. “I was unsure how to make it work, but I couldn’t just say no to her.” Driven by Mia’s passion, Thompson decided to search online for solutions.
In her quest, she discovered a similar story of a young musician who had managed to play the cello with the help of a prosthetic arm designed by Dr. Angela Reyes from the Human-Computer Interaction Institute. A quick call to Dr. Reyes revealed that the blueprints for the prosthetic were freely available online, but customization was necessary for Mia.
That’s when Thompson learned that the high schools in the district were equipped with 3D printers, thanks to the career and technical education program. She contacted Mark Johnson, the engineering teacher at Northside High School, who agreed to take on the project even though his students had little prior experience with 3D printing.
Excitingly, six students volunteered, including one named Emily Chen, who felt a strong connection to Mia’s story. “Music is a huge part of my life, and I know how important it can be to find your place in a group,” Emily shared. “Mia deserves to have that opportunity too.”
With teamwork and dedication, the engineering class successfully designed and printed a customized prosthetic arm for Mia. With her new device in hand, Mia was able to create beautiful sounds on the cello, fully embracing her newfound musical journey. “When Mia pulled the bow across the strings, it was magical,” Thompson exclaimed.
Mia’s experience not only opened the door to music but also taught her the importance of community support and embracing individuality. “I’ve learned that there are people who care and that being different is something to celebrate,” she remarked. “I hope others know that life can be tough, but they will be loved for who they are.”
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In summary, the collaboration between high school students and their commitment to helping a classmate showcases the power of community and innovation. Through teamwork, they not only built a prosthetic arm but also forged connections and fostered a love for music that will last a lifetime.