STEM Can Make a Difference
Rahway Public Schools
Sixth-grade students involved in Franklin Elementary School’s Technology Club recently participated in a STEM activity aimed at making everyday toys more accessible for students with special needs. The students learned about the challenges faced by children with disabilities and put their STEM skills to work to make a difference.
The lesson began with the basics of accessibility and the different types of disabilities that can make it difficult for children to play with certain toys. The students were tasked with coming up with creative ideas for modifying existing toys to make them more inclusive and accessible.
The students worked together with Dr. Linda Lampert, the school’s Technology Facilitator to modify an everyday toy by adding an adaptive switch. After a few attempts, they were able to successfully get the switch to work. Their project will be entered into the New Jersey City University’s STEM Maker’s Day Contest. They don’t want to stop there though. The students hope to modify a few more toys and then bring them to the learning-disabled classroom, which is located at another school within the Rahway school district.
Overall, the STEM activity was a huge success. The students not only learned valuable skills in engineering and programming but also developed a greater understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by students with disabilities. Their efforts to make everyday toys more accessible are a shining example of how STEM skills can be used to make a real-world impact and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Photo by Rahway Public Schools
