By Kristine Thomas
Needing to study for an anatomy test, Silverton High School seniors William Ward and Cole Ballinger had a notion they could make bones to use as study tools.
Their only hiccup was it was taking them longer than they planned to construct a 3D printer that could make the plastic bones.
Both 4.0 grade point students and members of the Silverton football team, William and Cole are embarking on a senior project that has some people mystified and amazed. From scratch, they are building a 3D printer.
“Most people don’t really understand what we are doing,” Cole said.
Laughing, the two teenage boys said they have been friends since they were students at Noah’s Ark Preschool. So when William suggested to Cole they make a 3D printer for their senior project, Cole decided to give it try.
Johnie Ferro is the high school’s activities director and responsible for assisting students with their senior projects. In the past, she said, students did a senior project that was a community service – such as organize a blood drive or help at the food bank. While seniors are still required to complete four hours of community service, Ferro said the emphasis on senior projects is to make it career oriented.
“When students leave Silverton High, we want them to have an idea of what kind of career they would like to have,” Ferro said, adding she has had seniors explore a career path, only to learn they didn’t want to pursue that career.
William is considering a career in biomedical, chemical engineering or pre-med. Cole is thinking about medicine or computer science. They both have a long list of colleges they are considering.
“A senior project is a chance to do something to see if you would want to do that career,” Cole said.
“It’s much more personnel,” William added.
Ferro said students don’t have to know exactly what they want to do for a career, especially since making a decision can be overwhelming for some students. What is important, she said, is students can explore options and learn what they are interested in. “A senior project helps students have a plan for success,” she said.
Humble and gracious, both William and Cole said they are grateful for their mentor Raymond Kaser, who helps them troubleshoot problems. Since the box of parts for the 3D printer came with basically little instructions, they have learned how to construct a 3D printer by watching YouTube videos and reading blogs and other material. When completed, the 3D printer will be able to make an object that is 8x7x6 inches.
As kids, they both constructed objects using Legos.
“This is the adult version of Legos,” William said.
“But it’s not as fun as Legos,” Cole said. “With Legos, you could build whatever you wanted. With this you have to make sure the parts go together.”
“It’s fun and we are learning a lot,” William said. “This is much more real world and we are actually applying what we are learning in school to this project.”
The biggest challenge for William and Cole is finding the time to dedicate to their project which has to be completed by January for their presentation. Both teens participate in several school activities plus take advanced classes. They went to Boys State together last summer and were both on the high school robotics team, with William continuing this year.
They are required to spend 10 hours on the project, something they have already surpassed. Once the printer is complete, they plan to make and sell phone cases to recoup their investment into purchasing its parts.
“After we are done, we are going to donate it to the high school,” Cole said. “It’s not really something you can take with you to college.”
