From Classroom to Clinic: Monarch School Students Design 3D-Printed Assistive Devices for Animals in Need

Last month 10 high school juniors from Monarch School had the unique opportunity to apply the mathematical and problem-solving skills they’ve learned in the classroom to the field of veterinary care during a visit to the San Diego County Office of Education’s (SDCOE) Linda Vista Innovation Center (LVIC). Over the last several weeks these students researched and analyzed data on hot topics in the field of veterinary care, including distress levels of animals in shelters and euthanasia rates, with the goal of creating their own solutions to help animals in need.

During their visit to the LVIC, the students heard from a few different animal caregivers with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, SDCOE, and the San Diego Humane Society who each explained different challenges and needs the animals they care for experience, and what kinds of materials and devices might be helpful in caring for these animals. As the students heard about - and even met - some the animals in need, they were also given a few 3D printed project ideas that would assist the caregivers in caring for their animals.

The students then dove into brainstorming solutions and designing a device to address one of the needs they learned about. The students worked in groups, collaborating on ideas and utilizing the LVIC’s 3D design programs and printers to turn their ideas into reality. Their solutions included: feeding tube holders for hummingbirds; a food bowl for a dog who had lost her lower jaw; scratch board holders for cat crate enclosures; and a clip that can secure a breathing tube to a surgical table for animals undergoing surgery.

A few weeks later, the students spent time volunteering at the San Diego Humane Society, and were thrilled to see some of their designs in action, assisting in the care for the animals they wanted to help.

The experience, however, was about much more than just learning how to use design software and a 3D printer. For their teacher Sylvia Estrada, it was an opportunity to show her students they can create impactful solutions, and they can build a future for themselves where they are using their ideas and skills to help others.

For many of the students at Monarch School, which is dedicated to serving unhoused youth in San Diego, the idea of pursuing higher education has long felt out of reach, and with their challenging backgrounds and circumstances most have already decided the traditional four-year university path is not in their future.

“A lot of my students have already come to the conclusion that college isn’t for them, but they are open to trade schools after graduation,” said Estrada. She used the opportunity to visit the LVIC as part of a larger multi-faceted project for her students.

“I wanted my students to have a project where they could really tap into empathy and think about ways they might be able to help others, and in this case, it’s animals,” said Estrada. “As they work on this project, and when they spend time volunteering with the San Diego Humane Society, they’re not just helping the animals in need, but they’re getting a hands-on experience with a career that they might be interested in.”

By designing and printing devices that help animals, the students not only learned about technology and animal care, but also discovered how their own ideas, skills, and desire to help others could translate into a future career that is very much within reach after graduation.