A high school engineering class has helped fulfill a middle school student’s dream of playing the cello by creating a customized prosthetic arm. When Mia Rodriguez auditioned for the orchestra at Hillcrest Middle School in Dallas, Texas, orchestra director Laura Jenkins immediately recognized her determination. However, the task was not as straightforward as welcoming her to the orchestra—Mia was born without her left hand and part of her forearm.
“Mia came to our audition night and expressed her desire to join the orchestra. She wanted to play the cello, and I was unsure how to facilitate that, but I couldn’t turn her down,” Jenkins shared in a video produced by the school district. “Seeing a kid advocate for themselves is incredibly inspiring; it compels you to act.”
Determined to find a solution, Jenkins turned to the internet for guidance. She discovered a story about another young musician who had learned to play the cello with the help of a prosthetic arm designed by Dr. Sarah Thompson from the Robotics Institute at Stanford University. A quick call to Dr. Thompson revealed that the plans for the prosthetic were available online, free for public use. However, the design needed to be tailored to fit Mia’s unique requirements.
In a fortunate turn of events, Jenkins learned from fellow teacher Kim Parker that all high schools in the district were equipped with 3D printers through their technical education programs. This led her to contact Jason Lee, the engineering instructor at Lincoln High School.
What happened next was truly heartwarming. Although Mr. Lee and his students had limited experience with 3D printing, they eagerly accepted the challenge. Six students volunteered for the project, including one named Sophia Martinez, who felt inspired by Mia’s enthusiasm. “Music is a huge part of my life, and I know it can create a sense of community,” she remarked. “If Mia has that passion, she deserves the opportunity to pursue it.”
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Jenkins, Mr. Lee, Sophia, and the dedicated engineering students, they successfully designed and printed a functional prosthetic arm for Mia. This enabled her to fully participate in the orchestra, forming connections with her new musical “family.” Jenkins recalled the moment fondly: “When Mia pulled the string, and that beautiful cello sound resonated, I knew we had achieved something wonderful.”
For Mia, this experience was transformative, teaching her about the kindness of others and the beauty of individuality. “I realized that people are willing to help, and being different is perfectly okay,” she said in the school district’s video. “I want other students to know that life can be tough, but you will be loved just as you are.”
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Summary
A high school engineering class, led by Mr. Lee, created a customized prosthetic arm for Mia Rodriguez, a middle school student who wished to play the cello despite being born without her left hand. With the support of orchestra director Laura Jenkins and the enthusiasm of the students, they designed a functional prosthetic, allowing Mia to thrive in her new orchestra “family.”