Hands-On Learning, Real-World Impact

This past Wednesday, Weber students came together for a hands-on volunteer event that blended engineering, creativity, and community impact. In partnership with Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), TOM fellows at Georgia Tech and Emory, Jewish Abilities Alliance, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, students worked in teams to build Toddler Mobility Trainers (TMTs)—specialized devices designed to give toddlers with mobility challenges the independence to explore their world.

TMTs allow young children to move in a seated position using their arms and hands, eliminating the need for lower limb mobility or strength. For toddlers with limited mobility, these trainers provide a crucial opportunity to engage with their surroundings, develop motor skills, and build confidence as they learn to navigate independently. By assembling, testing, and fine-tuning these devices, Weber students directly contributed to improving the quality of life for young children in the Jewish community.

With four DZA Engineering and Design students leading the charge, Weber volunteers worked through each stage of the build process—cutting, drilling, assembling, and refining the TMTs to ensure they would be functional and safe for their young users. The event took place in The Daniel Zalik Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Design’s Fab Lab, where students had access to the tools and resources needed to bring these mobility trainers to life.

Guided by members of TOM at Georgia Tech and Emory, students also had the opportunity to engage with college mentors studying fields related to engineering and design, learning firsthand about innovation, problem-solving, and real-world applications of their skills. This project was a powerful example of human-centered design—a problem-solving approach that prioritizes the needs of the people who will use a product. Rather than designing for the sake of innovation alone, students focused on functionality, ease of use, and accessibility, ensuring that each TMT would serve its purpose effectively for toddlers with mobility challenges.

Kol Hakavod to our student leaders(Adrianna Castiglione, Libby Wilons, Matthew Steinberg, Noah Berg), all the Weber participants (Molly Diamant, Sara Diamant, Drew Kaufman, Satcher Stone, Layla Magnus), and our dedicated Weber faculty and staff (Chris Chapman, Madi Anderson, Alex McIntyre, Cathey Chapman, Dr. Hannah Chapple, Dr. Jessica Doble, Elizabeth Behar Powell) for your incredible hands-on work and commitment.

If you know anyone in the Atlanta community or beyond who might need one of these TMTs, please email Madi Anderson at manderson@weberschool.org.