KENOSHA, Wis. — Middle school students at LakeView K-8 Academy are tackling a real-world engineering challenge this winter as part of the school’s annual Engineering Fair, focusing their work on improving medical prosthetics through human-centered design.
The unit launched in January, when sixth-grade students were introduced to their assignment: design a modification or solution that could improve the function, accessibility, or usability of a medical prosthetic. The project emphasizes empathy, problem-solving, and applied engineering skills, pushing students to think critically about how design choices can affect quality of life.
To ground the work in real experience, students heard from guest speaker Mr. Crawford, who shared his personal journey using a prosthetic after losing his leg in a snowmobile accident. An avid water skier and wakeboarder, Crawford described the limitations of existing prosthetic designs and the challenges he faces staying active, giving students a firsthand look at how engineering decisions impact everyday life.
Following the presentation, students questioned Crawford about his experiences, brainstormed possible solutions, and began developing ideas aimed at improving prosthetic performance for a range of real-world activities. Their designs and prototypes will be presented at LakeView K-8 Academy’s Engineering Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Project presentation windows are scheduled throughout the day, with the best opportunities to view student work between 9:01 and 10:01 a.m. and again from 11:16 a.m. to 12:16 p.m.
The Engineering Fair reflects the Kenosha Unified School District’s broader focus on preparing students to think creatively, solve complex problems, and apply classroom learning to real-life challenges beyond school walls.
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One Response
What a great program.!