Neshoba County School District

By Debbie Burt Myers

 

A group of Neshoba Central High School students put their engineering
skills to work to create a prosthetic arm, allowing a classmate and friend
to fulfill a lifelong dream of shooting archery.

 

Sophomore Jia Moore, born with a partial limb, had long dreamed of competing in archery.

That dream recently became a reality after months of work by the student team.

Coach Kreissa Reed said archery is an inclusive sport that welcomes anyone willing to give it a try.

Jia had hoped to join the archery team since fourth grade and returned last year determined to compete at the high school level, Reed said.

Making that goal a reality required extensive research and outreach.

“We explored multiple adaptive techniques such as shoulder mounts, foot archery, and mouth tabs in search of a safe and effective solution. While these options showed promise, what Jia could do was ultimately not approved for state competition due to safety concerns. 

“We continued researching and discovered that USA Adaptive Archery features athletes who shoot using prosthetics. However, the cost of these devices was too expensive.”

 That’s when student Devlyn Shoffner, suggested a creative solution: partnering with the school’s engineering program to design and 3D print a device that could safely extend Jia’s reach.

Over the past year, engineering instructor Jaimee Childs and her students have applied their skills and problem-solving abilities to bring this idea to life. The project remains ongoing as they continue refining to ensure both safety and effectiveness.

“This effort has become an incredible real-world learning experience,” Reed said.  “This project is helping students demonstrate how innovation, collaboration, and determination can empower individuals to overcome barriers and exceed the expectations often placed on them.”

Childs guided students through the process.

“Kreissa wanted us to design something that would help Jia shoot safely,” Childs said. “The bow’s draw had to stop at a certain place near her face for safety reasons.”

While several students contributed early on, Alex Thompson completed much of the design work using SolidWorks, a CAD program.

 “He is one of my stronger students in that area and now has his CSWA certification,” Childs said.

Karis Jackson also played a major role in the project. She did the measurements and designed a protective sleeve to prevent rubbing and blisters.

The team created multiple prototypes throughout the process.

“You can always make it better, so we will continue to let it evolve as Jia’s needs change,” Childs said.

“I won’t have Alex next year as he will be a senior, but I will have Karis. She will be an intern for engineering and is a friend of Jia’s. My encounter with Jia is just with this project, but she's been great to work with.”

Jia, a sophomore, has wanted to do archery since she was young.

“This is really my first chance to do it,” she said, expressing gratitude for her classmates.

Jia previously released the arrow behind her head, which Thompson said posed safety risks.

“The prosthetic we designed functions like an arm, specifically to shoot a bow,” he said. “Basically, it holds her bow at a safe distance from her face. The shooting prosthetic mimics the role of her arm.”

Jackson said the group designed a Lego shaped-hand attachment to connect the bow to the prosthetic.

 “She uses her other hand to release the arrow,” she said.

Thompson said the hand attachment was one of their biggest challenges.

“You want to shoot with the string near the face,” he said.

Moore was excited to receive her first mechanical prosthesis.

“I really just wanted to compete,” she said.

Moore is the daughter of Scarlett and Nathan Moore.

The 10^th grader aspires to become a veterinarian, driven by her love for animals.

Thompson, a second year engineering student, plans to pursue a career in the medical field, with engineering as a second choice.

Jackson intends to study biomedical engineering, specializing in prosthetics.

Pictured: Alex Thompson, Jia Moore and Karis Jackson