One of the nation’s largest nonprofits dedicated to early childhood development is hosting the annual MAKERS of Change Assistive Technology Challenge to benefit young children with disabilities.

Since 2018, Southwest Human Development has been hosting the challenge to engage Valley high school science, technology, engineering and math, coding, robotics and technology teams to troubleshoot and create “real-world” solutions to help improve the lives of children with disabilities.

More than 70 teams from 18 Arizona high schools are embarking on a challenge this month to develop an engaging device, accessory, or tool for young children with Cortical Visual Impairment that will encourage visual attention, build motor skills and support making choices that allows the child to experience cause and effect relationships.

Nicknamed the “STEM Challenge with Heart,” the MAKERS Challenge is modeled after young children seen at the organization’s ADAPT Shop, a space where every project begins with an idea based on a need and ends with a life improved.

The 2023 Challenge was designed in partnership with providers from both the ADAPT Shop and Foundation for Blind Children, who have been collaborating to meet both the occupational and vision therapy needs of children in Maricopa County.

“Our goal in hosting the MAKERS Challenge is twofold – we hope to both inspire the younger generation to understand and consider the needs of children as they approach engineering solutions and to encourage more students from underserved communities to consider careers in STEM fields,” said Jessica Brandt, Services for Children with Disabilities at Southwest Human Development vice president, stated in a press release.

There is no cost for schools to enter the Challenge, but corporate support is raised to both fund the program administration and the ongoing needs of the ADAPT Shop. AstraZeneca, onsemi, Cox Charities, Avnet and Valley Toyota Dealers are the 2023 Challenge sponsors.

Each high school team of up to six members is matched with a volunteer mentor who meets with them virtually to review their project ideation and execution.

On Friday, Oct. 6, teams will submit a video and poster summary for scoring by volunteer judges representing those employed by Intel, Avnet and onsemi, as well as ASU graduate level engineering students and retired science and engineering professionals.

The top nine teams in three categories are invited to the Finalist Team Presentation Friday, Oct. 20 at the Foundation for Blind Children campus at 1234 E. Northern Ave., in Phoenix.

Three teams will win $100 each and there will be one overall “Best in Show” team that wins a $500 prize.