This year, three students at Mercersburg Academy brought together innovation, compassion, and determination to create something extraordinary — a custom assistive climbing device designed to help their classmate, Lucy, who has cerebral palsy, scale indoor rock walls more independently.

Louisa Gunkelman, Solie Stenger, and Lucy Barker collaborated on the project, which was Louisa’s and Solie’s senior Capstone Project. Titled Adaptive Ascent, the project aimed to design a supportive tool that would make climbing holds more accessible to those with limited grip, strength, and muscle tone.

“We wanted to create something that wasn’t already out there,” said Solie during their final presentation. “Something that could truly help someone.”

A Student Innovation in Adaptive Sports Equipment

Louisa and Solie both have deep roots in athletics and adaptive sports. Louisa’s background in climbing and Solie’s early experience volunteering with an adaptive foundation helped fuel their interest in the assistive technology space.

Lucy, also a climber, has a combination of ataxic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy, and she faces unique challenges on the climbing wall. Crimp and sloper holds are two common types of climbing grips. They are difficult for her due to inconsistent joints and muscle tone in her right hand and arm.

“They showed me the first ideas for the attachments and worked out all the wall issues with me from the beginning,” said Lucy. “Louisa and Solie also asked me about my CP, to truly understand my limitations, and worked that into their designs.”

Designing a Custom Adaptive Climbing Device with 3D Printing

The students set out to design attachments that could compensate for Lucy’s limitations and provide real-time support on the wall.

The project began with research, brainstorming, and the use of simple materials — cardboard, paper, and tape — to create mockups that mapped hand position and curvature. The students later transitioned to 3D modeling using Autodesk’s Fusion, a design and engineering application. They produced more than 20-30 iterations of two distinct grip attachments: one for sloper holds and one for crimp holds.

Their process was marked by creativity and determination. They even explored a “fidget spinner” style rotating mount before settling on static, interchangeable designs that could snap into a wrist brace mid-climb.

One of the pivotal moments occurred when the team partnered with local blacksmith Kyle Burdette, who helped manufacture the prototypes in aluminum. While their first versions weren’t strong enough to bear Lucy’s full weight, testing and feedback led to reinforced designs that were put to use on the climbing wall during a successful test climb.

“We hope to refine the materials and make the attachments more durable,” said Louisa. “Eventually, we’d love to see both pieces housed in one interchangeable wrist brace.”

Inspiring the Future of Adaptive Sports Innovation at Mercersburg

While the device is still being refined, the students see the Adaptive Ascent project as more than a one-off innovation. They hope their work will serve as a stepping stone for future Mercersburg students — or even Lucy herself, who might take the project further during her time in the school’s Makers Lab.

Above all, the project represents the power of human-centered design, where personal connection drives purpose.

“We wanted to give back to the Mercersburg community,” said Solie. “And getting to work with Lucy — and see the impact firsthand — was an experience we’ll never forget.”

Lucy says the experience was eye-opening. “I saw how much I was really missing,” she recalled. “The device helped me do moves and transitions on the wall that I otherwise would have to work around. Even though the design will need further work, I’m excited to see just how much it can help me improve.”

Watch the video below to see an in-depth overview of the project and hear more from the students behind it.