This past Thursday, Brown Hall turned into a buzzing hub of innovation as the STEAM 10 cohort unveiled their 3D-printed assistive devices. Teaming up with the Victoria Hand Project (VHP), these students set out to tackle real-world challenges, designing functional, low-cost solutions for individuals with limb differences. The result? A showcase of ingenuity, collaboration and a whole lot of heart.
From a mouse adapter that clicks with a shoulder shrug to a guitar strummer that rocks, the projects were as diverse as the students who created them. Let’s dive into the highlights.
Three projects, countless possibilities
First up, Owen Lam and Eric Thompson took on the challenge of making computer mice more accessible for prosthetic hand users. Their design? A nifty little device inspired by VHP’s iPhone holder. A ring fastener on a prosthetic finger aids movement, while an “Able Body Brace” connects shoulder shrugs to a wired attachment, triggering the mouse click. Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Plastic components shrank during printing, and a finicky clicking mechanism kept the team on their toes. But their demo was a hit, showing how a simple shoulder movement could bring a computer mouse to life. Future plans include adding a scroll wheel because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good scroll?
Next, Alfie Smith and Elliot Judson decided to make music more accessible with their guitar strumming assistive device. Spoiler alert: neither of them actually plays guitar. But that didn’t stop them from creating something pretty cool. Their design mimics natural strumming using soft, flexible materials, and it costs just $6 to make. Yes, you read that right—six bucks. That’s less than your average latte. The team went through four iterations to get it just right, scaling down the pick holder and tweaking the design for better grip. For the grand demo STEAM 10 teacher, Mr. Kim, stepped in to show how the device works, strumming away. The team even consulted a fellow student who plays guitar for feedback, proving that sometimes you don’t need to be an expert to create something extraordinary.
Last but not least, Bella Mattenley, Mathilda Fletcher and Alvin Tsao tackled a challenge close to every bookworm’s heart: how to make reading easier for prosthetic hand users. Their solution? A multi-purpose book holder that’s as practical as it is clever. The design includes “windshield wiper” page holders for easy turning and a hexagonal backboard to keep things light and stable. It even doubles as an iPad holder because, let’s face it, we’re living in the future.
The team faced some tricky decisions, like whether to mount the holder on the top or side. They went with the side for better wrist movement. They also added silicone pads to prevent slipping, because nobody wants their favourite novel sliding off the table mid-read. Their demo showed off the holder’s smooth page-turning action. This proved that sometimes, the simplest solutions can make the biggest difference.
The bigger picture
What makes these projects so special isn’t just the tech or the designs, it’s the empathy behind them. These students didn’t just build devices. They thought about the people who would use them. They asked questions, listened to feedback and kept refining their ideas until they got it right.
Senior School Science and Engineering teacher (and assistive-strummer demonstrator), Wonjin Kim '10, reflected on the experience.
“Recognizing that being an effective engineer is about so much more than technical skills like Fusion 360 or sketching. It’s about human connection and the ability to connect deeply with your stakeholders to learn about their needs, perspectives and backgrounds,” he said.
Behind the scenes, the Victoria Hand Project played a huge role in making all of this possible. Their mission? To provide affordable prosthetic arms to amputees in need, helping them regain independence and hope. Working with VHP gave the STEAM 10 students a chance to see how their designs could impact real lives. Receiving a Victoria Hand is transformative. It’s not just about functionality. It’s about dignity, opportunity and a brighter future.
Kim also highlighted the value of local partnerships.
“We are surrounded by so many amazing local experts in and around Victoria who are doing such cool work. The Victoria Hand Project, based out of UVic, has been incredibly supportive of the group this term. We’re really hopeful that we can continue this tradition with next year’s STEAM Experiential group," he said.
“Learning Fusion 360 was the most insightful part of the project. It showed us how technology can be used to solve real-world problems," Alfie Smith reflected. And that’s the real takeaway here. Innovation isn’t just about flashy gadgets or cutting-edge tech. It’s about using what you know to make the world a little better, one small solution at a time.
So, here’s to the STEAM 10 cohort: keep dreaming, keep building and keep showing us what’s possible when creativity meets compassion. The future’s looking pretty bright in your (assistive) hands.
