The biomedical science pathway always seemed to interest me the most. Finally, in PLTW I was able to see what it is like with my group by completing the prosthetics module. I came into this module not really knowing what to expect. Well, it was harder than I expected it to be. The main reason is because we ran into a lot of problems when our ideas didn’t go as planned. This module was a whole lot of trial and error. But like I learned in the engineering module, it’s good to have trial and error because it leads to new and better ideas. In the end we were able to make a good prosthetic of a lower leg.When we made the final touches, and looked back on our hard work, I was extremely proud of the prosthetic. When we got to test the leg, and it actually worked and could be used to walk, I was even prouder. I couldn’t believe I helped make it!

When I had completed the bridge in the engineering pathway, I was proud, but not as much as I am completing this prosthetic. I think the reason why is that in prosthetics, I feel like I can make a difference in the world. There are so many people struggling and in need of a prosthetic; army veterans, people in accidents and many more. It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal from our perspective. That’s why at the beginning of this project, we had to feel empathy for those missing an important body part by going without one of ours. I choose to go without eyesight. Normally when we walk, we don’t have to think about it. We just walk. But when you don’t have eyesight it becomes much more complex. You have to feel around you to avoid bumping into something. You have to listen to the voices around you to guide you. Experiencing this gives you the opportunity to know what it’s like for amputees, thus helping you to create a better end product.

This project made me think of the movie soul surfer. In the movie she loses her arm, and simple tasks like putting your hair in a ponytail is ten times harder. All of this made me realize how important prosthetics can be. They can help make the simple things in life easier again. And that’s why I loved completing this project, because prosthetics can make such big difference. I like to help people, and knowing I could do that with prosthetics makes it so much better.

-Lauren Gredicek