An Arm's Reach

Circuit boards, nuts, bolts, batteries, wires, remote controls, light sensors and stainless steel tongs were the materials that middle and high schoolers used to design and build prosthetic arms during the 2016 MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition. Hosted by Weber State University’s College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology (EAST), the event featured the creativity and intellect of students from nine states.

Each prosthetic arm was required to perform several different exercises, including distance, object relocation and dexterity tasks. They were also evaluated on design efficiency.

Two teams from New Mexico — Red Mountain Middle School and Demming High School — took home top honors in the middle school and high school categories.

MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement), an organization that partners with EAST, is nationally recognized for its innovative and effective academic development program. MESA engages thousands of educationally disadvantaged students, so they excel in math and science and graduate with math-based degrees.

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