Eanes Independent School District

The Adaptive Play class at Wenatchee High School (WHS) is a unique blend of innovation and compassion. Under the guidance of engineering teacher Doug Merrill, students are not only learning engineering principles but also applying them to make a difference in the lives of others.

The classroom resembles Santa's workshop, with students diligently modifying toys to make them accessible to children with disabilities. The projects include motorized cars for kids with mobility challenges and a customized baseball pitching machine for wheelchair users. Each toy presents a distinct challenge, requiring problem-solving skills, mechanical knowledge, and a deep understanding of the future owner's needs.

Merrill started the adaptive engineering program in 2017 after attending a conference on the Go Baby Go initiative, which focuses on modifying battery-operated ride-on cars for students with mobility challenges. With a grant to kickstart the program in Wenatchee, he has equipped students to create custom cars that provide greater mobility independence for children and their families. Since then, the Adaptive Play class has expanded to include handheld toys that move, light up, and make sounds, making the classroom look more like Santa’s Workshop than an engineering lab.

The class is currently focused on customizing toys for younger students with disabilities in the Wenatchee School District. This year, Merrill’s students have been collaborating with Occupational Therapist Lyndsay Brewer from the Wenatchee School District to identify student needs and implement design modifications based on that information. This hands-on experience provides them with invaluable skills and a sense of purpose that goes beyond traditional classroom learning.

WHS Senior August Chamberlain, who plans to pursue a career in electrical engineering, finds the work both challenging and rewarding. He says, "I enjoy tinkering, and each one is a unique challenge for me, and it's really satisfying to see it work."

Merrill, who is set to retire at the end of the school year after 36 years, says the greatest reward is witnessing the joy on his student's faces as they see the impact of their work on a child. He states, "The most fulfilling part for me is getting to see their reactions. That's the best thing ever!"

The Adaptive Play class is more than just an engineering course; it is a testament to the power of empathy, innovation, and the transformative potential of young minds. Through their efforts, these students are not only building toys but are also creating a more inclusive world, where every child can experience the joy of play.