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Vaughan, ON

Ethan Yeung

I am a high-school student with a passion for developing practical engineering solutions. I enjoy using CAD, 3D-printing, and rapid prototyping to turn ideas into hardware that can solve real-world challenges. With strong interests in hands-on technical skills, I have designed and developed robots, custom enclosures, and PCBs. Driven by the desire to turn my skills and interests toward community service, I founded Function Forward. Through this project, I lead youth to assemble assistive devices for individuals in my community, guiding them through soldering techniques, 3D-printing knowledge, and more. I believe that one of the best ways to learn engineering is by solving real problems alongside others.

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Function Forward

Function Forward is a youth-led community initiative that builds, modifies, and distributes 3D-printed assistive devices to local facilities, schools, and individuals. To solve the issue of adaptive tools being hard to access and costly, we organize youth assembly teams to manufacture open-source hardware. We test and deliver these custom items directly to end-users at no cost, improving accessibility while providing opportunities for youth to gain hands-on skills such as soldering.

https://functionforward.org/

About this Project

Communities Served

My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:

    United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

    When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.

      How the project works

      Function Forward will run monthly assembly sessions starting August 2026, designing, manufacturing, and testing assistive devices while helping youth gain access to soldering and 3D printing. We will distribute these custom tools directly to facilities and individuals.

      Project Impact

      Function Forward empowers individuals with physical disabilities by providing custom, no-cost 3D-printed devices that reduce accessibility barriers. The project promotes independence and inclusion by supplying local facilities and individuals with these tools. Simultaneously, the project engages youth in hands-on STEM skills like soldering and assembly within a safe, welcoming environment.

      Project Mission

      Function Forward aims to improve accessibility and independence for individuals with physical disabilities by manufacturing and distributing 3D-printed assistive tools.The project focuses on introducing youth to fabrication skills while addressing real-world accessibility challenges.

      Project Team

      Student technical innovators providing custom 3D-printed assistive tools to local community facilities and individuals.