Candor High School students from the Technical Education class participated in a special project called “The Incredible Iron Hand” which was submitted to the “SourceAmerica Design Challenge,” an engineering competition focused on designing workplace technology for people with disabilities. Pictured, from left, are Steven Veasey, Cyrus Heckathorn, Adam Nichols, Christopher Hopkins and teacher, Stephen Lindridge (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Candor high school students from the Health Services class participated in “The Incredible Iron Hand” project. Pictured, from left, are Shanea Jones, Lacey White, Sarah Davies, Morgan Cotton, Emily Potter, Abigaile Palmer and teacher, Colby Westervelt. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Several students from the Technical Education and Health Services classes at Candor High School are eagerly awaiting a decision regarding a special project they submitted to a national engineering competition. Their project, “The Incredible Iron Hand,” is one of 72 applications entered into the SourceAmerica Design Challenge. The competition encourages high school and college level students to develop, design and manufacture technology solutions for people with disabilities to use in the workplace.
Coached by their teachers, Stephen Lindridge and Colby Westervelt, the Candor students, dubbed “Team Iron Hand,” went to work in October 2014 developing and designing the incredible iron hand for Owego resident, Jessica Burrell.
Burrell, a graduate of Owego Free Academy, was involved in a life changing car accident in February 2008, which left her with a C6/C7 level spinal cord injury. Following surgeries, therapy and rehabilitation, today Jessica has arm, forearm and wrist use to various degrees, and reduced use in her hands and fingers. Jessica can complete written work with a pen holding device, however she needed something more for other aspects of work and daily life. The Incredible Iron Hand gives Jessica extra needed grasp between her thumb and pointer finger, allowing her the ability to pick up small objects.
Team Iron Hand was initially inspired by Colby Westervelt’s son, Candon, who was diagnosed with a rare disease called Rasmussens Encephalitis. To help eliminate seizures, Candon had half of his brain surgically removed, which has left him with limited mobility in his left hand. Team Iron Hand originally started formulating ideas to create a device to help 11-year-old Candon, however the SourceAmerica competition requires entries focus instead on adults with disabilities in the workplace. Lindridge then contacted Jessica’s brother, Mark Burrell, a Candor high school teacher and coach, and from there proposed the project idea to Jessica.
Candor high school senior, Steven Veasey, shows the incredible iron hand, which was made for Owego resident Jessica Burrell, who suffered a spinal cord injury in a February 2008 car accident. The incredible iron hand will help Jessica pick up small objects and give her additional grasping between her pointer finger and thumb. A future version of the device will help 11-year-old Candon Westervelt, who was the initial inspiration for the project. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Accomplishing the final version of the incredible iron hand was a challenge for the students on the Health Services and CAD teams. The first two attempts failed because they were both difficult for Jessica to put on by herself, and the second also had limited rigidity. A third idea was too complex and brittle, which resulted in it breaking, and a fourth try showed improvement, however too many parts made it nearly impossible for Jessica to put on.
The fifth and final version proved to be a simpler design, which also showcased the students’ working knowledge of 3D printing and plasma cutting and utilizing an in-house machine to create a sample of the prototype.
Overall, the project allowed students to develop skills in engineering, communications, writing, math, presentation and social aspects. Technology Education student Adam Nichols commented that it was sometimes a challenge working together.
“We all had our different ideas,” he said.
Health Services students were instrumental in the process. Westervelt shared, “They provided their input about the arm, wrist and hand’s anatomy and physiology.”
Student Morgan Cotton shared that another important part of the process was the preparation of a multiple page document, which was written and submitted by the six Human Services students.
The students and teachers anticipate hearing about the status of their entry by the end of January. Regardless of the competition results, it was unanimous amongst the students and teachers that although winning the competition would be nice, especially with an added bonus of a Washington, D.C. trip, the satisfaction of helping others is more the winning moment.
Owego native Jessica Burrell is a recipient of the project, “The Incredible Iron Hand,” designed by Candor High School students. Burrell will graduate with a Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology in May.
“It is so nice to know that we helped someone,” was a shared comment by Health Services students Shanea Jones and Sarah Davies.
Technology Education teacher Stephen Lindridge shared about the competition itself, “It doesn’t matter if we win.” Instead, the overall experience and opportunity to help others is an invaluable life lesson.
Jessica Burrell shared, “I would like to thank all of the students and faculty at Candor who spent time on this project to help both Candon and myself. I am sincerely grateful and believe this device has the potential to have a positive impact on my life.”
Jessica is currently on an internship at Lourdes Hospital and plans to start student teaching in the spring. In May, she will graduate with a Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology and after graduation plans to pursue employment in her field.
Going forward, the Candor High School students will build upon their past accomplishments. In fact, the next project is to continue working on their device for Candon Westervelt. Candon and Jessica’s disabilities have different variables; however with minor modifications, Team Iron Hand is confident that they can achieve a working device to benefit Candon’s daily living activities.
To view the video about the incredible iron hand project, search for “SourceAmerica Design Challenge Team Iron Hand” on YouTube.com.
