Colorado Christian University Engineering Undergrad Students Design Custom Prosthetic Hand for a Nine-Year-Old Girl

Posted on May 05, 2026

Colorado Christian University Engineering Undergrad Students Design Custom Prosthetic Hand for a Nine-Year-Old Girl

LAKEWOOD, Colo. - Students in Colorado Christian University's undergraduate engineering program are applying classroom learning to a project with life-changing potential-designing a custom prosthetic hand for a nine-year-old girl born without one.

The project, developed within CCU's Computer Aided Design and Engineering Application course, gives students the opportunity to engage in real-world problem-solving while improving the daily life of a young girl in their community.

"What began as an idea for a meaningful class project quickly became something much more personal," said, Dr. Cory Hixson, Associate Professor of Engineering, who leads the course. "Our students are designing something for a specific child with real needs that has a real story."

After receiving approval from the girl's parents, students met directly with her to understand how a prosthetic hand could better support her daily activities. She has used prosthetics in the past, providing valuable insight into what works, what doesn't, and what could be improved.

The team is focused on creating a design using 3D modeling and rapid prototyping. This approach allows key components of the prosthetic to remain consistent while enabling adjustments as the child grows- addressing one of the most common challenges young prosthetic users face.

"The goal is to make something that adapts with her," one student shared. "We're thinking about how she plays, what she wants to do independently, and how engineering can help make those things possible."

Students delivered a functional prototype by the end of the semester, with plans to continue refining the design in future coursework. Long-term, the project could expand into a broader initiative-potentially involving interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to a future university-wide maker space.

Beyond the technical skills gained-such as 3D modeling, printing, and user-centered design-the project has made a lasting impression on students.

"As an undergrad, I didn't think I would have an opportunity like this in my first year," said Faith Ramsey, a first-year engineering student-athlete from Gilpin, Colorado. "But when the opportunity arose, it unlocked the potential for CCU engineering students to help and serve others in our community."

The project also reflects a spirit of collaboration beyond campus. Students are building on an initial design developed by an independent creator through makerhand.com, incorporating new ideas while honoring the original work.

"This reflects the kind of experience we seek to cultivate in every student," said CCU Provost, Dr. David Corbin. "An education that equips them to apply their learning in ways that contribute meaningfully to the world."