A STATE of the art prosthetic hand has wowed pupils at a Bradford school.

As part of a science lesson with a difference, Year 9 pupils at Farfield Primary school were visited by representatives from the Steeper Group, a Leeds based company that produces high-tech prosthetic limbs.

Also visiting the pupils was Kevin Evison, who uses one of the group’s prosthetic hands.

The year group had been learning about electricity this term, creating basic circuit boards.

To give them a better idea of how what they were learning can be used in the real world, they enjoyed the eye opening visit.

A keen cyclist, Mr Evison lost his forearm in a tragic accident in 1982.

However since he was fitted with one of the group’s bebionic hands, he has been able to continue the sport.

The prosthetic is considered to be the world’s most advanced prosthetic hand, and it is now completely integrated into Mr Evison’s life. His most recent challenge saw him use the hand to cycle from London to Paris.

Pupils were amazed by the hand, which is controlled by electrical impulses, and even got to try out a model themselves. When attached to the hand with electrodes, the children were able to move the fingers with simple movements of their hands.

While speaking to children Mr Evison showed them how his hand could rotate 360 degrees, and how he could casually “take off” his hand.

He has tried numerous prosthetics since his accident, but says this model, which he has used for over two years, was the best yet.

The hand works when electronics measure electrical charges on the skin covering the control muscles, and command individual actuators in the hand to provide the desired movements.

Ruth Tomkins, one of the Year 6 teachers, said: “We had a topic on electricity and pupils had been creating simple circuit boards. This event was for the children to see how what they were learning can be applied, and how it can help support people improve their lives.

“They saw how this technology can be used to help someone in their lives every day.

“The kids were blown away by the whole thing, at how it operated. They were just amazed.

“He got a really good reception.

“His hand could rotate all the way around, and they really impressed the children.

“We had a really interesting question and answer session and he told us how he can live an ordinary life with this hand.

“A lot of children got to try an arm themselves. They got it to operate it by flexing their muscles.

“The visit was a brilliant addition to what we have been learning. It shows what can be done with the skills they are learning, and what can be achieved when you stick at something. It is a great way to see what they are learning in action.

“This was the culmination of what they have been learning this half term.”

Mr Evison said: “The kids were fantastic, they came up with some really good questions and were asking how it worked.

“Adults tend to be be careful not to say anything that they think might hurt my feelings, but when kids see it they just say ‘that’s cool!’”

MORE EDUCATION HEADLINES