Riverwood Student Wins Fulton Science Fair, Advances To International Competition

From Riverwood International Charter School: Riverwood sophomore Max Seidel won the 2017 Fulton County Science Fair and earned an automatic advancement to both the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair and the International Science and Engineering Fair. Seidel is the first Riverwood student to earn an automatic advancement to the international competition. Seidel will travel to Los Angeles in May for the International Science Fair.

The purpose of Seidel’s winning experiment, “3D Printed Myoelectric Prosthesis Without TMR Surgery,” was to examine a more accessible and less invasive solution to today’s current prostheses procedures. The cost of a prosthetic arm can range anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000. The prosthetic developed in his experiment cost an average of $300 to $500 with the help of additive manufacturing techniques, otherwise known as 3D printing technology. Seidel’s project not only created a prosthetic arm, but also refined the 3-D printer which produced the arm itself.

“Max’s award-winning project is unique because he produced a prosthetic arm and perfected the technology to make it. His enthusiasm for science and engineering is contagious,” said Riverwood Science teacher Patti Lawrimore.

Three other Raiders competed at the County Science Fair: Joey Fleming and Adam Moulem advanced to the State fair after placing 2nd for their project “Carbon Fiber vs. PLA Plastic: Comparing Quadcopter Frame Materials.” Michelle Stanek earned a 2nd place for her project “Corroding Away.”

Image Courtesy Of Riverwood International Charter School