In December, 350 students at West Bedford School in Bedford, Nova Scotia worked together to adapt over 60 toys and build 200 switches for children with disabilities.

Thirteen classes of grade 5 and 6 students took part in build events over several days through Makers Making Change (new window)’s STEM With Purpose (new window) initiative, learning hands-on skills while making devices that would be donated to families and clinicians across Atlantic Canada as part of their annual Hacking for the Holidays (new window) campaign.

“Students absolutely loved it,” says Jeff Hennigar, who teaches grade 5 at West Bedford. “I think most students would agree that the best part was the soldering — getting to use some new tools that they’ve never used before, and even just the opportunity to take apart a toy I think was really unique.

“For most students, they’ve probably never opened a toy before, or ever considered that it could be altered to work in a different way. That was a really powerful learning experience for the kids to see that side of it.”

For many of the students, it was their first time soldering. Hennigar particularly appreciated that students got the opportunity to try new things while learning hands-on skills.

“[It’s] vitally important. Not only for letting them see how things work in the real world, but also connecting it to the learning they’re doing in school, and letting them feel confidence to be able to try new things,” he says.

Since 2023, over 600 students at West Bedford School have taken part in Makers Making Change build events, making over 450 devices for kids with disabilities.

“It helped our students see that there are different ways to give back to their community and to be a volunteer. It doesn’t always have to be through monetary donations. To help an organization by volunteering your time, it’s a great way to spread some kindness this time of year.”

Hennigar recommends Makers Making Change’s STEM With Purpose workshops to other teachers looking to engage their students.

“[They’re] so easy and flexible and understanding for what our needs are,” he says. “[MMC East Region Coordinator Courtney Cameron] is always very easy to work with and comes with a wealth of knowledge and skill in this area.”