McKinney ISD students are being recognized this week for work that could help save lives across the city. Fourth- and fifth-grade Gifted and Talented students partnered with the McKinney Fire Department to design custom 3D-printed mounting brackets that secure newer, smaller automated external defibrillators (AEDs) inside public cabinets.
The student-designed solutions are part of McKinney’s broader effort to improve cardiac arrest survival rates by increasing AED readiness and accessibility throughout the community.
Turning Classroom Learning Into Community Impact
Through this project, students applied engineering, problem-solving and design thinking skills to address a real public safety need. Working alongside McKinney Fire Department leaders, the students developed custom mounting brackets to ensure AEDs are safely stored and easily accessible in public locations.
Several of the designs are now under evaluation for potential use in AED deployments across McKinney, demonstrating how student innovation can directly support citywide health and safety initiatives.
A Joint City And School District Recognition
The students will be formally recognized during a joint meeting with McKinney city leadership and McKinney ISD officials, highlighting the collaboration between local government, public safety professionals and educators…