Lara Acker is no regular 10-year-old. The Mineola Middle School student took lessons she’s learned in class and applied them to real life multidimensional situations. Acker’s already using her new knowledge and machine out of a sci-fi movie, to help others.
Acker and a fellow student Juliana Lucha, have been using her 3-D printer, a FlashForge Dreamer, to raise money for cerebral palsy and cancer charities, turning technology into a public service.
She has already raised $100 between classes at the middle school in the first two weeks of the initiative.
“I thought it would be nice to have people with cerebral palsy know there are people out there [trying to help],” Acker said.
A personal favorite shape for Acker is the doggy eraser that can hold two pencils. A close second are the owl and charms for bracelets and necklaces. The printer can also create an assortment of tree frogs, pigs, retro cars and sharks.
Her fellow students, Acker says, have grown to like the 3D frogs, but she and Lucha, have noticed middle schoolers clamoring for figures based on Minecraft, a multi-platform video game based on building structures for leisure or safety. Those figures include the Minecraft wolf, ocelot and tree.
“You can print in many colors,” she said. “You can change the colors even if it’s not done [printing].”
Her father, Alex is clearly taken back by Lara’s philanthropic nature at just a decade old.
“It’s touching,” he said. “The pride to watch her is great. She doesn’t put any money in her pocket. When she gets to a certain amount, she’ll hand it all over to the school.”
Middle school teachers have been instructing students in the realm of 3-D construction. The school is floored by Lara’s efforts in fundraising.
“We have been working with our students on learning 3D printing. We have been amazed at their ingenuity and creativity,” middle school principal Matthew Gaven said. “Lara decided to take her idea one step further and use proceeds to help others. I am always so proud of our students when they look to help those around them.”
The printer was not just a gift. It was an announcement; a calling, Alex says.
“It was something we wanted as a family to have in the house to encourage her to pursue this,” he said.
Lara’s cousin received a printer last year and she had been intrigued by the technology, which lets creativity run wild.
“It’s a great tool,” Alex said. “She’s always been interested. Her school knew she was going to be getting one and the school worked closely with her to encourage her to do something for charity.”
Lara’s interest in this developing field only bodes well for her future.
“She has expressed wonder and trying to understand a whole new media that some people don’t even know about,” Alex said. “This is technology that some people don’t even know exist. To see her express interest in this technology to not only do good but to learn, is great.”
Lara feels the program is two-fold, which gives students the opportunity to design to their liking, while helping those in need.
“It’s a great way to get people into expressing their creativity and to help others,” she said.
Lara’s favorite subjects are science and English language arts. She already wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
“My teachers are really cool,” she said. “She lets us work on the board. Teachers help everybody everyday to pursue their dreams and I want to do that.”
