Summer Learning Journey 2019-20 | Week 3, Day 3 | Activity 2: Printing Prosthetics

Welcome to another post on my blog. This is the third week for the Summer Learning Journey 2019-20. If you don't know, the Summer Learning Journey is a holiday programme where we do blog posts over the summer holidays. This is because we don't drop down in our reading and writing. Because over the holidays, we have so much fun and not do any reading or writing, so we drop down in our scores.

The second week of this Summer Learning Journey is about Experiments & Gadgets: Science, Technology and Invention.

Activity 2: Printing Prosthetics [4 points]

In 1983 a man named Chuck Hull invented the first 3D printer. A 3D printer follows a design that has been created on a computer. The printer simply ‘prints out’ the design in layers, often using a material like plastic.

3D printing has changed the way we are designing and manufacturing (creating) all sorts of things. It is possible to 3D print parts for machines, buildings and even humans!

If you have ever broken an arm and needed a plaster cast you will know that they’re not much fun to wear - especially in summer! Here in New Zealand, a man named Jake Evill has designed a lighter 3D printed plaster cast that is strong, recyclable, waterproof, and ventilated (let’s air in). Check out his design here.

For this activity, we would like you to learn more about 3D printed prosthetics (artificial body parts, like hands or arms). Please watch this video about 3D printed prosthetics (artificial body parts, like hands or arms).

On your blog, tell your readers:

1. One thing you learnt from watching the video.
• Modern prosthetics can cost tens of thousands of dollars and kids quickly outgrow them.
2. One thing that surprised you when watching the video.
• People can be born without fingers, which is sad.

I hope you learnt something new and liked my post. Have a cool day!! Bye!!