Draper

Earlier this summer, Draper employees in Cambridge, Reston and St. Pete came together through our Ability+ Employee Resource Group to assemble LN4 prosthetic hands for people around the world who may not otherwise have access to one.

The LN4 Hand was created in memory of Ellen Meadows and has since reached recipients in more than 80 countries. During the event, teams assembled each hand from a kit, packed it in a carrying case and added a personal note for the person who will receive it.

As one Draper volunteer put it, the most rewarding part was knowing the exact device he built would directly impact someone’s life.

For two hours, our teams built something small enough to hold in one hand and meaningful enough to change what someone can do with theirs.

Back-to-school shopping adds up fast, especially when a family is buying everything from backpacks and notebooks to clothes and water bottles.

This summer, Draper’s Caregivers Employee Resource Group partnered with Cradles to Crayons to help with that list. Employees donated enough supplies to fill 100 backpacks for students across Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, along with $500 to support the organization’s work.

Cradles to Crayons is working to equip 70,000 students for the school year. We’re glad our employees could help put 100 of those backpacks into the mix.

Thanks to the Caregivers ERG for organizing the drive and to everyone across Draper who contributed

Every year, Run to Home Base gives our employees one more reason to lace up their running shoes.

This weekend, Team Draper raised more than $31,000 for Home Base, exceeding our fundraising goal and joining thousands of others in support of veterans, service members, and their families.

It was great to see so many employees, friends, and family members come together for a cause that’s become an annual tradition for us.

Thanks to everyone who made this year’s event such a success.

If you were in Boston this weekend, you probably noticed the skyline looked a little different.

More than 50 tall ships sailed into the harbor, bringing centuries or maritime history with them. A few Draper engineers had the chance to step aboard the U.S. Coast Guard’s tall ship Eagle for a closer look at one of the most recognizable vessels in the fleet.

Getting to explore a ship like Eagle was a pretty memorable way to spend the weekend. Thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard for the invitation and the opportunity to experience a piece of maritime history from the deck instead of the dock.

A few weeks ago, employees swapped conference rooms for a stage.

What followed was a night of great music, surprised coworkers, and the discovery that some of the people solving engineering problems every day are also incredibly talented musicians.

Turns out we’ve got a few rock stars around here. 🎸

Some of the most consequential decisions shape how work continues long before results are visible.

In 1973, Draper separated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology to operate independently.
That shift allowed Draper to stay focused on mission-driven engineering over the long term, without competing institutional priorities.

This moment fits into a much larger timeline. As America marks 250, continuity comes from decisions that keep critical work focused and moving forward.