Ankeny middle school students to 3D print maracas for students with special needs

Students at Ankeny's Prairie Ridge Middle School are using technology to help bring more music to their fellow classmates.

The school received a Prairie Meadows grant for $7,500 to help cover the costs of 3D printing equipment that will soon be used to create musical instruments for students who have special needs.

Seventh graders have been using 3D printers and a laser engraver during art class, study hall or lunch time to create projects like laser-engraved coasters, ornaments and 3D-printed molds for clay projects. Their projects were all first designed by hand and with computer software.

On a recent visit to art teacher Kevin McColley's classroom, students showed off some of their projects, like a custom pencil case, coasters with elaborate designs, an ornament shaped like Stitch from the Disney movie "Lilo & Stitch" and a football-shaped mold.

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