A group of Girl Scouts consisting of girls from the age group of 11-13 years, called the Flying Monkeys who were from Ames in Iowa, have developed a prosthetic hand for helping a three year old girl child to write.
This group has won an amount of $20,000 for patenting their invention. Their award, the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Global Innovation Award would be given by the X PRIZE Foundation. The team defeated 179 submissions from 16 countries for its BOB-1, the prosthetic hand device that would aid patients with limb abnormalities to grip, hold, secure items and stabilize.
The FLL teams had to utilize bio-engineering and find out innovative methods for rising above genetic predispositions, and also repair injuries, which would help the patients to lead healthier and happier lives. Inspiration was provided by one of their teammates, who had a limb difference and this helped the girls to create a prototype for Danielle, a child of three years from Georgia, who was born without fingers on one hand. The child could hold a pencil for the first time using the prototype. The team members had learnt about her case from a website and after extensive research on limb differences developed the BOB-1 and sent an instructional video on the BOB-1 along with a video showing their teammate playing the violin, to demonstrate that even with disabilities she could live life to the full without limiting herself.
Over 200 Girl Scout robotics teams have been formed all over the country to be a part of the Girl Scouts, whose focus would be on the STEM disciplines. The submissions for the award were voted by the public and then an expert panel decided on the best ideas, which could be patented. As winners of the Global Innovation Award, the girls would receive the awards on June 16 in Alexandria at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Source: http://www.girlscouts.org