Name: _________ ____________
Prosthetic Arm Activity
What is a prosthetic? Prosthetics, or artificial body parts, refer to mechanical
devices that replace human limbs lost through accident, illness, war, or at birth.
Prosthetics must be comfortable to wear, look good, and work like a real body
part.
The World Health Organization estimates that 30 million people are in need of
prosthetic and orthotic devices — yet more than 75 percent of people in
developing countries do not have access to high-tech prosthetics.
Your Job:
Create a working prosthetic arm from household materials.
1. What body parts do you think a prosthetic can replace?
2. In the world, how many people need prosthetics?
3. What is an orthotic device?
Materials:
1 Cardboard
5 Zip Ties
3 Straws
Scissors
6 pieces of String
Ruler
Hot glue
Instructions
1. Trace your hand and part of your arm on a flat piece of cardboard.
Keep your fingers loosely together.
2. Cut out a strip of cardboard 50 cm long, 2.5 cm long.
3. Cut the shape of your arm out from the cardboard, then cut
between the fingers to separate all five.
4. Using a pencil and ruler draw the joints of your fingers. Then fold
the cardboard at the “joints” using your ruler or the back of the
scissors.
5. Draw a small line where the phalanges are in the prosthetic
6. Draw 5 lines where your metacarpals (hand bones) are.
7. Cut the straws into 9 small pieces. Then cut 5 pieces 3.0 cm long
8. Use the hot glue to glue the small pieces of straw onto the
phalange lines. Then glue the large 5 pieces onto the metacarpal
lines.
9. Let the glue cool down and put a
string through the straws. Glue
top part of the string to the
fingertip.
10.
Glue the 30- 50 cm cardboard piece to where the carpals
(wrist bones) are.
the
11.
Make your 5 zip-tie rings
12.
Tie the ends of the strings to the zip-tie rings.
13.
Place your hand in the prosthetic and try to pick up the cup!