Australian Students 3D Print Prosthetic Hand for Classmate

Students from The Nature School in Port Macquarie have created a 3D-printed prosthetic hand for their classmate, Lois Agnello. Using an open-source design from Australian charity Free 3D Hands, the students spent months learning how to use a 3D printer and experimenting with materials before producing a functional hand. The project began when Lois, who was born with only part of her left hand, approached her science and technology teacher to see if she could build a prosthetic of her own with help from her classmates.

The students held lunchtime sessions over three months, testing different fibres and refining their technique before printing the first prototype. The hand works through upper-arm movement and can pick up objects, exceeding Lois’s expectations. “I was like, oh my god this is crazy,” she said. “I didn’t even know if it would work.” For many students, it was their first experience with 3D printing, and their teacher Lloyd Godson described it as a significant learning curve that sparked creativity and teamwork.

Since completing the initial prototype, the students have continued to collaborate with Free 3D Hands to improve the design. They have printed three more versions, each more advanced and comfortable than the last. Free 3D Hands founder Mat Bowtell praised their enthusiasm and involvement in brainstorming new design features. The group aims to keep enhancing the prosthetic to make it more functional for everyday use.