A BENDIGO student who designed a bionic arm as part of her school assessment has been selected to have her creation put on display at the Melbourne Museum.
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Girton Grammar School student Bella Stone constructed the prosthetic arm last year. The project formed part of her VCE school-based assessment for systems engineering.
The year 12 student said she had always been interested in engineering.
"From a young age, I have been out in the shed with my grandpa and dad. I was brought up doing that sort of thing, I think with engineering it just clicks. I like tinkering," Bella said.
The bionic arm is modeled on that of a male's forearm and functions through servos on its interior.
Bella said she used a 3D printer to create the pre-designed frame - downloaded from the web.
"My friends think it's pretty cool. Carrying it back and forward to classes my teachers would stop me and ask, "what is it?" You'd get some strange looks," she said.
Bella entered the assessment into the VCE Season of Excellence Top Designs competition - with selected works and designs put on display at the state museum.
"It's really cool seeing your name up there and your face around. My family think it's really cool. I have never had anything happen like this to me before," Bella said.
This year, Bella is studying biology, physical education, English language and further mathematics.
With a mum who works as a nurse and a dad whose an engineer, it's not a surprise the 17-year-old wants a career in prosthetics.
She said she would take a gap year before moving to Melbourne to study.
"I want to help people. I want to make people's day easier. Being disadvantaged without a limb definitely affects people in multiple ways," Bella said.
Bella has been involved in other extracurricular activities which involved engineering. She was instrumental in getting the school on board with the RACV Energy breakthrough.
For now, Bella said she was concentrating on her VCE but had her sights set on designing another arm or leg.
The Top Designs' exhibits will be on display for the next three months.