When Grayson Fast, a student at Horizon Middle School in Aurora, CO, first started working on a school project aimed at designing an artificial limb for a local military veteran, she knew it would have a significant impact on the recipient’s life – but she didn’t realize it would gain national attention and alter the future of custom prosthetics for people with disabilities.

Fast, who is the daughter of a veteran, had the opportunity to work with her classmates as part of the 2016 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest to design, develop and 3D-print an artificial limb for a local veteran who had lost his leg during service – a cause that is close to her heart. The hard work of Horizon Middle School paid off, as the class was named a national winner in the contest, leading to a flurry of national attention, a trip to the White House, and an influx of inquiries from outside organizations seeking advice and guidance on how to construct the prosthetic limbs.

From L to R: Simon-Peter Frimpong and Grayson Fast of Horizon Middle School in Aurora, CO, present their prosthetic enhancements for local wounded veterans during the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Finalist Pitch Event on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in New York.

From L to R: Simon-Peter Frimpong and Grayson Fast of Horizon Middle School in Aurora, CO, present their prosthetic enhancements for local wounded veterans during the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Finalist Pitch Event on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in New York.

“Originally, I wasn’t sure what kind of impact this project would have, but when I saw how the community responded to our project, everything changed,” Fast explained. “It’s been really nice to see all of the work we are doing be recognized and to be able to help improve somebody’s life. It’s life-changing.”

When students have the opportunity to witness the positive and direct impact of their project, it inspires enthusiasm for learning.

“That’s the beauty of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – it’s more than just a school project,” said Ann Woo, Director of Corporate Citizenship for Samsung. “It awakens something deeper in students – tapping into their natural skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) and getting them involved in the local community to reignite their passion for learning.”

Students of Horizon Middle School in Aurora, CO work together to design and 3D-print custom prosthetics

Students of Horizon Middle School in Aurora, CO work together to design and 3D-print custom prosthetics.

The Solve for Tomorrow contest, now in its eighth year, made the shift last year from STEM to STEAM to encourage student involvement and creative problem solving. By increasing the emphasis on STEAM, Solve for Tomorrow is helping schools recognize the strong connection across academic subjects, while addressing the growing chasm between education and career opportunities. With the inclusion of art, STEAM subjects are more approachable to students, allowing them the freedom to imagine, create, and explore different outcomes. This engages the larger student body – beyond the math-minded individuals – and unites students of all skill levels to rally together for a greater cause.

With a focus on the arts, students competing in the Solve for Tomorrow contest experience hands-on learning and create tangible solutions that will have a lifelong impact on both the students and the larger community. As Horizon Middle School proved, one small school project has the potential to snowball into ideas that inspire future advancement, and our future scientists, technologists, engineers, artists, and mathematicians truly have the power to create meaningful change in the world.

To learn more about the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest or to apply online, visit www.samsung.com/solve.