The Step Forward Project is a student driven project that utilizes the technical learned in the career technical classroom and used to fulfill a real world need; giving the gift of mobility to amputees in Central and South America. Students 3D print prosthetic leg parts and conduct quality assurance to make sure parts meet specifications. This process is done throughout the year in collaboration with eleven partner schools around the United States. Previously students from Gulfport High School along with two other schools from Arizona and Alabama traveled to Lima Peru and San Jose Costa Rica. The schools worked together to gain hands-on experience assembling the prosthetics, interviewing candidates and fitting those that are able to receive a prosthetic leg. This is the epitome of what career technical education is all about; solving real world problems with the skills and knowledge learned in the classroom.

Do to the success of the previous two trips our team has been invited back for the opportunity to participate in two trips this year; Lima Peru in February, and San Jose Costa Rica in March. In order for our students to be able to participate in this amazing opportunity we have to raise the funds needed for travel and lodging.

These trips provide all the attendees a once in a lifetime experience. Not only are these students putting their skills and knowledge to use solving a real world problems, they're changing the lives of the amputees, their families, and as well as their own lives. As mentors and teachers it was amazing to watch our students grow and change in real time as they worked together as a team with other students they just met. Seeing the courage and emotional maturity it takes to interview amputees, fit the prosthetic and then watch the recipients take their first steps is a sight to behold.

We humbly and graciously ask for your support to allow these students and mentors to continue to change lives. If you are able to support this life changing project it will be greatly appreciated.

*Donated funds will be deposited into Team Fusion Robotics, which is a 501(c)(3).