Students gain a sense of purpose and discover their potential when compassion, creativity, and problem solving come together. When that breaks beyond classroom walls, the impact is even more powerful. Inspired to fill a need within their community, middle school PLTW Gateway students created functional prosthetics and adaptive devices designed for educators in their school who’ve experienced limb loss.
Students Put Heart and Personality into Prosthesis Designs
Bath Middle School | Lima, Ohio
Just a few months before sixth-grade students at Bath Middle School began their Design and Modeling unit, the school’s beloved EMIS coordinator, Lori Fields, underwent a leg amputation. Knowing the impact of creating a personal connection for students, teacher Tia Sherrick reached out to Lori with an idea: “Can we change this [foot orthosis design activity] to fit you and do a prosthetic instead?” Seeing her own experience as an opportunity to help students learn, Lori was all in.
With a few adaptations to the activity—and the occasional (literal) leg up from Lori—students learned about the career of a prosthetist, tried on various prosthetics and orthotics, and uncovered connections between biology and computer science. Then, students worked in teams to build and test designs for a personalized, “Lori-fyed” prosthetic leg (pictured below). What made this experience so successful? According to Tia, the real-life connection made all the difference. Students worked hard on their designs because they were “for someone they knew personally, rather than just a made-up story.”
Watch this local news story to hear more about the project. 
Two Classes Innovate a Functional Prosthetic Shower Leg
West Plains Middle School | West Plains, Missouri
After having her leg amputated in 2021, Lesa Hall needed a prosthetic limb that she could use in the shower. Although her below-the-knee prosthetic leg could get wet, the cleaning process was very time-consuming, and a specialized prosthetic for bathing purposes was costly and not covered through insurance. As a former teacher in West Plains, Missouri, Lesa chose to engage a fellow educator, Kim Wilson, and employ the brains of Kim’s two PLTW Gateway classes to find a solution.
Guided by the PLTW curriculum, students applied STEM concepts, conducted user interviews, and used 3D modeling software to prototype and refine their design. This hands-on project not only deepened students' technical skills but also exposed them to biomedical engineering and human-centered design, offering meaningful exploration of a potential career field. The experience exemplifies how PLTW Gateway students are empowered to solve authentic problems while building confidence and career awareness. Read the full story here.
STEAM Tech Team Engineers a Robotic Arm
Gettys Middle School | Easley, South Carolina
Before the 2017 school year ended, eighth-grade students on the Gettys Middle School STEAM Tech team took on an incredible project: create a robotic arm for their assistant principal, Rick Strickland. From day one, students dedicated themselves to bringing their vision to life—and getting it right.
By applying what they’d learned in PLTW Gateway classes since sixth grade, students used the engineering design process to move from initial concept to final product. They relied on durable skills like collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking
From day one, students relied on durable skills like teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking and used the engineering design process to create sketches, prototypes and, eventually, a final product. And because of their dedication to the project, students discovered pathways they might not have imagined otherwise.
Learn more about the project in this video.
Empower Middle School Students with PLTW Gateway
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, about 2 million people in the U.S. live with limb loss—and that number is expected to double by 2050. Introducing students to these in-demand and impactful careers before high school can help fill the need for prosthetists and orthotists in the future.
Across the country, school districts use PLTW Gateway to help middle school students explore careers. In fact, PLTW teachers say students who participate those classes are more likely to express interest in STEM careers, and a majority of those students say the curriculum helps them understand how classroom experiences connect to real life. For PreK–12 decision-makers, these stories are a powerful reminder: When we let students solve real-world problems in their community—those students are building a better future for themselves, too.
Download the Design and Modeling Unit Outline →
