The MAKERS of Change Assistive Technology Challenge engages Valley high school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), coding, robotics and technology teams to troubleshoot and create “real-world” solutions that will help improve the lives of young children with disabilities.
We are excited to be starting our 8th year of the annual MAKERS of Change Challenge!
Any Arizona high school team is invited to participate in the annual Challenge. The 2025 Challenge begins August 18 and teams comprised of 3-5 students have until September 22 to create and submit a poster and video outlining their solutions. Volunteer judges from throughout the community will review submissions and recommend up to eight teams that will advance to an in-person Finalist Presentation on October 17.
Click here if you are a high school instructor or student interested in applying for the Challenge
Click here if you are interested in volunteering as a virtual Mentor or Judge
The 2024 Challenge
The 2024 Challenge invited teams to listen to Quincy’s story, identify an activity that is important to Quincy and her family that is currently limited due to poor head control, then develop or enhance assistive technology that would support Quincy’s ability to actively engage and participate with her family during this activity.
Click here to view 2024 Challenge Instructional Videos
Click here to view a video summary of the 2024 Challenge
2024 MAKERS OF CHANGE WINNERS
Congratulations to our 2024 winning teams from Bioscience High School, Chandan Shamala Library and Ironwood High School.
In 2024 we expanded the award categories to recognize the efforts of newcomers, posters and presentations, as well as “Quincy’s Choice” for the most the scenario family’s favorite solution. Runners up in each category were also awarded.
Additional Category Honorees
Level 1 Runner Up – Kaktus Solutions, Chandan Shamala Library
Level 2 Runner Up – Batteries Not Included, Bioscience High School
Level 3 Runner Up – Neural Ninjas, Chandan Shamala Library
Newcomer Award Recipient – Dragon ROAR, West Point High School
Newcomer Runner Up Award Recipient – SigmaHawks, Williams Field High School
Poster/Presentation Award Recipient – The Lioneers, Red Mountain High School
Poster/Presentation Runner Up Award Recipient – IKV, Mountain Pointe High School
Quincy’s Choice Award Recipient – Innovator’s, Ironwood High School
Click on each of the images below to see the solutions proposed by each group.
For more information, contact Louann Phillips at (602) 361-3785 or email [email protected].
2024 Challenge Made Possible with the Support of
