Give them a hand: North Bay students create prosthetic using 3D printer

A group of students at West Ferris High School in North Bay, Ont. are using technology to help others.

The teenagers used a 3D printer to create a prosthetic hand.

The creation took 31 pieces, wire and pins and was put together in six hours by Grade 11 student Jessica Kelso.

She says her fellow students and their teacher got the blueprint design for the raptor hand from e-NABLE, a non-profit organization.

Each e-NABLE chapter uses 3D printers to create prosthetics for anyone who has lost a limb due to war, disease, or natural disasters.

The organization provides designs for different types hands depending on a person's injury or loss.

West Ferris Secondary School has two 3D printers and a Makers Room for students to build and manufacture creations.

Kelso says the school is looking into becoming a chapter of e-NABLE.

She explains that the prosthetic they made is for a child who may be missing fingers.

"What happens is when they're strapped in to the hand, when they bend their wrist the fingers will get pulled in, which will give them the ability to hold and grasp," Kelso said.

Kelso became involved in the project because of the cutting edge technology being used.

"I'm on a robotics team here in North Bay, so I already have a lot of background in technology. So I thought this would be a great way to...further my knowledge."

The students are still looking for a recipient of their first hand, but Kelso says it will be donated to a child in need from a war torn part of the world.