Students from Higley High School and Gilbert Classical Academy were among the top winners at the Eighth Annual MAKERS of Change Assistive Technology Challenge, hosted by Southwest Human Development.

The event, held Oct. 17 at the Helios Education Foundation in Phoenix, brought together more than 100 student teams from across the Valley to design adaptive, play-based technology for Levi, a 5-year-old Phoenix boy with cerebral palsy.

The challenge encouraged students to create devices that would help Levi engage more fully with his younger brothers through inclusive play.

Higley High School’s team “Smart Little People” earned the competition’s top honor, winning Best in Show for their innovative design. Another Higley team, “Buzzy Ballers,” was named Newcomer Runner-Up.

Gilbert Classical Academy’s team “Spartans” won the Level 2 category, which recognizes advanced design and engineering skills.

“These young innovators are proof that empathy and engineering go hand-in-hand,” said Jake Adams, chief development officer at Southwest Human Development. “The MAKERS of Change Challenge is about helping students see how their skills can make a real difference in the lives of children and families in our community.”

Now in its eighth year, the challenge continues to promote inclusion and accessibility by connecting STEM education with real-world social impact.