Innovations at Principia sprout from empathy, are rooted in necessity, and blossom into technology that serves humanity. And this spring, those planting the seeds are tenth grade CoLab teams—two who are finalists in this year’s international PrintLab & Autodesk Make:able Challenge.
As a standalone class, CoLab weaves together Science, Social Studies, and English, enabling students to tackle real-world problems through collaboration, critical thinking, and purpose-driven design. This is where Principia students shine.
The challenge invited students from around the globe to design and create a 3D-printed product or prototype that improves the day-to-day life of older adults or people with disabilities.
More than a design contest, Make:able challenges young innovators to use their technical skills to think like entrepreneurs, engineers, and current-day change makers by identifying real human needs and creating solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
To achieve this goal, every tenth-grade student partnered with an individual with a disability to better understand their experiences and needs. Guided by their client’s feedback, students then created innovative designs aimed at improving the individual’s quality of life.
Air Bender team's suction machine holder
Sophomore Mario and Alik’s project was named a finalist for Best Use of 3D Printing in the 14–18 age category. The two used advanced tools in the STEM lab to create a suction machine holder, a stable, detachable, and strong mount that securely attaches a suction machine to a wheelchair. Designed for a young girl named Izzy, the device gives Izzy and her mother more freedom and mobility in her wheelchair, while keeping the suction machine safely in place.
In awe of what the device could mean for her daughter, Izzy’s mother said, “I’m having trouble with words. I feel like just being able to put her suction machine on the back of her chair and go could be life-changing.”
Sophomore team Marley, Paige, and Loganne, earned recognition as finalists for Best Showcase of Iterative Design in the 14-18 age category. Their development of a Snack Skewer—an extendable snack grabber—made it possible for their expert, Aimee, to feed herself crunchy snacks for the first time. It’s possible that this design has widespread potential to help others with limited mobility.
Easy Bite team's snack skewer
Based on client feedback, both teams created multiple iterations of their products, refining their effectiveness and ease of use. Their work demonstrates that meaningful innovation doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the crux of UX design—and happens when students are encouraged to think boldly and adapt with creativity, critical thinking, and a generous spirit.
"That is exactly the kind of future-ready leadership being cultivated in Principia's CoLab," said Upper School Principal Sam Dry. “I love how this is celebrating our endeavor to provide ARTI-ful experiences—learning that is Authentic, Relevant, Transferable, and Impactful. These students identified a real need and applied their creative and technical skills to develop a solution that can genuinely improve the lives of others.”
And while the competition's final winners will be announced on July 1, Principia’s community is already celebrating something bigger than any award. These students have demonstrated that when empathy drives design, learning becomes transformative—and young people discover they have the power to make an impact far beyond the classroom.
“Congratulations to these students and to the entire CoLab team!” said Chemistry Teacher & Science Department Chair Melanie Shedd (C’99). “This recognition reflects not only the students’ creativity, perseverance, and design thinking, but also the strength of the CoLab framework, which provides opportunities for authentic learning and iterative problem-solving.”
Check out all the finalist's designs and video submissions: