2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Play is a fundamental right of children, and if the access to play is limited, cognitive and social development is hindered. Through a partnership with the state, a non-profit organization and two educational institutions, biomedical engineering undergraduate students are modifying toys for children with disabilities to meet this real-world need.
Students participate twice in toy modification projects in BME laboratory courses for sophomores and juniors. In the sophomore class, students learn about the need for accessible toys for children with motor impairments, and hear from a biomedical engineer working for the state.
Students modify the toys by rewiring and replacing buttons. They document the process using a structured design report format, that incorporates pre-identified engineering standards. The toys are then donated to the state, which distributes them.
At the junior level, students work with the non-profit group and occupational therapy (OT) students to modify a ride-on vehicle for children with severe motor impairment. The students learn about the lack of options available to families and make custom modifications for specific children. BME and OT Students work on teams – OT provides the clinical assessment, and BME designs and executes the modifications. Students then deliver the cars to the children. Students write design reports specific to their modifications.
These projects achieved our goal to incorporate more industry-style design report writing in our coursework. Additionally, we have observed that engagement with clients builds student motivation, that to maintain an ongoing project requires investment of time and money/supplies, and instructors must be involved and flexible.
Providing children with motor impairments accessible toys encourages their neurological development and peer interaction. Addressing their needs with student action fulfils both the children’s material needs and the students’ pedagogical needs.