Children often need comfort in times of crisis, and sometimes the smallest tools can make the biggest difference. That belief was at the heart of the Fidgets for Firefighters project, a partnership between Bullard and four Kentucky schools that gave students the chance to design and 3D print fidgets for local fire departments to use with children during emergencies.

Students from STEAM Academy, Leestown Middle School, Rise STEM Academy for Girls, and Carver STEM Academy for Boys in Lexington, Kentucky worked alongside Bullard professionals to bring their ideas to life. With guidance from engineers and access to the district’s brand-new fabrication lab, students were challenged to think like manufacturers. Each fidget needed to follow strict design guidelines, incorporating fire service colors, a safety element or the initials of the Lexington Fire Department, and a calming feature such as texture, shape, or encouraging words. Most importantly, every design had to function effectively as a fidget tool that children could use in stressful situations.

Bullard team members visited classrooms to mentor students and share insights into engineering, 3D printing, and product development. To ensure the project could move from ideas to finished pieces, Bullard also donated the filament used to print the fidgets inside the district’s new Fab Lab. With this support, students were able to prototype, test, and refine their designs—learning about iteration, teamwork, and the practical realities of manufacturing along the way. Some fidgets featured phrases like “Be Brave,” while others took the form of stars, hearts, and smiley faces. Every design reflected both creativity and compassion.

Now, the students’ work is about to move from the classroom to the community. On October 5, during the city’s annual Fire Prevention Festival at Masterson Station Park, students from each school will present their finished fidgets to the Lexington Fire Department. In total, they are expected to deliver 1,000 fidgets that firefighters can carry during calls and share with children who may need something tangible to hold in a difficult moment.

As a Bullard engineer and product of Fayette County Public Schools, this project was a perfect blend of my two worlds. Bullard is a company that lives and breathes to protect and support those in our community, and giving back right here in Lexington was an honor. These scholars worked diligently to design, iterate, develop, and perfect fidgets to better support their peers. I’m incredibly proud of the degree of excellence demonstrated by these scholars, and proud to work for a company that invests so heavily in our local community.

-Teagan Avery, Product Development Mechanical Engineer at Bullard

For Bullard, Fidgets for Firefighters reflects the same values that guide the company’s work in safety manufacturing worldwide: innovation, collaboration, and care for people we protect. Whether it is through a fire helmet, thermal imager, or a simple fidget designed by a student, the mission remains the same—create with purpose and make a meaningful difference.