Knightly News

After 250 hours of 3D printing, three months of adjustments and revisions, and eight to nine rolls of filament, senior Evan Loftin and sophomore Billy Henderson have achieved something remarkable. The engineering-minded duo printed a Star Wars Battle Droid, weighing 40 pounds and standing 6 feet 5 inches tall.

The two voluntarily dedicated the time and effort to bring the droid to life. This was not a class assignment, and no grades were earned. Evan and Billy are members of the school’s FRAME Club, which meets weekly in the engineering lab. The group has constructed a range of objects, including light sabers and a rocket that was successfully launched. In addition, they take on campus renovation and repair projects. For example, club members created a light for the powerlifting team, and they are currently brainstorming ways to prevent the Penniman Hall entry door from slamming so quickly and loudly. Billy says the team looks for what needs to be done and how they can help.

The droid project was a way for Evan and Billy to leave a legacy at Episcopal. Evan says he wants students to realize that they can make anything they like, even if it’s rather large. Billy says they hope to inspire other students to think big and work hard to achieve their goals. Leaving this legacy certainly took hard work. The two met in the engineering lab between classes, during free study and club meetings. Managing the time and the demand for the printers proved a challenge, but the team worked around it.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Innovators

Episcopal teachers strive to prepare students for the future and the skills needed for success, and this droid project is an ideal example of educational experiences that go well beyond a textbook. Evan and Billy say the experience helped them develop patience, time management and problem-solving skills. The students purchased the files to create the droid but planned the specifics, including the filament weight and the best supports. The students also printed their own dowels and investigated which material works best to permanently attach the printed components. “It’s really rewarding to see students get excited about a project and take charge of completing it,” says FRAME Club advisor Dr. Jeff McLean.

Evan and Billy are already working on their next masterpiece – a dinosaur skull, which is 60% complete. While Evan will graduate this year and go on to study business, Billy is considering what he’ll do next year at Episcopal. No doubt, this year’s creations will be difficult to top, but he is up for the challenge. 

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.