Students Use 3D Technology To Make Prosthetic Hands For Children

LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ) – Students from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and National Academy Foundation high school used 3D technology to create prosthetic hands for children at BWI Marshall Airport campus on Monday.

Mike Schuh reports for WJZ.

Volunteers from 12 Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems campuses nationwide were involved in the initiative.

About one in 1500 children are born with deformed hands, and 9-year-old Ethan Brown is one example.

"He had kind of started hiding it a little bit," said Maria Esquela, with E-Nabling the Future. "A child should never have to be ashamed of who they are."

Brown was born with a deformed hand, and by the third grade he became socially conscious and was embarrassed because of it.

That's where a small team with a vision came into play.

Defense giant Northrop Grumman printed parts and rounded up employees, and highschoolers from around Baltimore spent time putting them together.

A product that would normally cost up to $10,000 was made affordable by using the hard work of volunteers and about $30 worth of plastic and parts that you could get at a local craft store.

"I think it affects their confidence," said Melina Brown, Ethan's mother. "That in turn can affect who they become. If you don't have self-esteem, you're never going to realize your full potential."

A cheap, mechanical hand looks to boost more than a child's physical functionality.