Students in Richard Turner’s art class at the Hewes Educational Center recently took on a project that combined creativity with a real-world purpose: designing a device to help people with physical disabilities wash their hair more independently.
The idea came after students learned about a local girl with hand muscle atrophy who relies on a parent for help every time she washes her hair. As part of a class assignment focused on adaptive tools, three students spent several months developing a practical solution that could make everyday routines easier.
The students created an arm-like assistive device using soft plastic tubing to hold shampoo and conditioner. By squeezing the tubing, users can dispense each product more easily, helping promote both independence and privacy.
Using a new 3D printer, the team built a working prototype and shared it with the girl who inspired the project. She loved the idea and even suggested improvements, including making the device longer so it would be easier to use in her hair. The students also added clear labels to help users distinguish between the shampoo and conditioner.
The project was recently showcased at this year’s STEM Wars competition at Northwest Arena in Jamestown.
