After conquering the state level, Ravenscroft robotics students are now making an international impact.

Ravenscroft recently received official approval as the newest chapter member of e-NABLE, a global nonprofit organization that donates 3D-printed prosthetic hands to people in need. The school is now listed on e-NABLE's global map as having the capacity to properly build the devices.

By joining the network, Ravenscroft will be on call to print, assemble and donate prosthetic hands for people around the world.

Members of the robotics team took first place at a state competition in the spring. Part of their presentation featured the prosthetic hands that ultimately gained the school international recognition.

At the beginning of the school year, the students were tasked with connecting robotics to real-world applications that help people with different needs. The class interviewed Chris Tullo, who received national attention as a child for using a 3D-printed prosthetic. Chris is the brother of Louis Tullo, Ravenscroft's chief information and innovation officer.

Chris Tullo provided feedback on the students' design and engineering process and shared considerations for developing the prototype. After watching instructional videos on designing the prosthetics, the students got to work.

The class's first prototype was made of cardboard and string. As the project evolved, students refined the design and added more features. Henry Brock '30 admitted the thought of building a prosthetic hand was "scary" at first, but after watching the assembly videos, the process became much more manageable.

"We spent a day or two just assembling and going through the process," Brock said. "I think we made six hands in that class in two class periods."

The students used fishing line to run along the back of the hand, carefully knotting and feeding it through tiny holes that extended through the palm and into each finger.

"That took a lot of time," Brock said.

The students followed Ravenscroft's design process by developing a plan, creating designs, testing prototypes and evaluating results. Those steps helped them better understand the mechanics behind every component. Meredith Stewart, a Ravenscroft middle school teacher who was born without part of a limb, graciously visited the robotics lab to test the prototype and participate in a fitting.

The design includes a tensioner that functions like tendons in a hand, allowing users to grip and hold objects.

One prototype was green and featured the Ravenscroft Block R logo mark just below the knuckles. The ability to customize each design based on an individual's interests can help users who may feel self-conscious about wearing a prosthetic.

Now, when requests come in through e-NABLE, Ravenscroft students will be ready to serve while also earning community service hours.

"The most rewarding part is knowing this can really help someone," Brock said. "And seeing how much of a difference it can make, especially for someone who may feel self-conscious about looking different from everyone else. This can help them embrace that difference and be proud of it."