Milligan University Engineering students put their skills to work to modify toys for children

Milligan University and AdapToPlay partnered up for Go Baby Go Appalachia, an event that provided local children with limited mobility modified ride-on toys. The event has been recurring regularly since the Engineering program began, and has given Milligan students the opportunity to do good with their knowledge, and the opportunity for children who might not otherwise get to experience playing with ride-on toys the chance to try them out.

According to an article on Milligan University’s website, Dr. Greg Harrell, who is the director of the Engineering program, said of the event’s benefits for the students, saying, “Adapting toy vehicles is a very difficult, challenging and technically demanding mechatronics project. Through this process, students get a heavy dose of engineering problem solving as they learn how to read engineering drawings, follow a technical guide to build a machine, and use tools and calculations to figure out tasks like replacing a steering wheel with a joystick.”

In order to make the toys easier for children with lower mobility, the toys need to be modified so they can be operated differently from how those toys typically work. This involves replacing steering wheels with buttons or joysticks. It is difficult, making it a challenging task for first-year engineering students, but Dr. Harrell says that it allows his students to work in a way that is in concert with Milligan University’s mission of making the world a better place.

Samuel Funderburk, who is a freshman Engineering student, said he got a lot out of the event, both in terms of learning important engineering concepts and in the sense of pride he got in using his skills to help out children be able to play. He said, “What also became clear throughout the process of adapting these toy jeeps was how doable something like this is. Sure, it’s hard at times, but all that work is worth it when you see something you’ve built helping a child. While I love engineering and would build things just for the fun of it, it is encouraging to see that the money, time and work that I am putting into becoming a better engineer will enable me to help others in a very real way.”

For this specific event, the students modified seven ride-on vehicles for local children. The students had modified the toys based on the specific needs of the children who would be present, and then were able to help the kids get situated within the vehicles as they began to play.

Dr. Harrell said of the whole experience, “Whenever a child is strapped into the toy car that has taken so much effort and time for our students to make and then the child chases everyone around the parking lot as they drive, that is when our students understand that their efforts make a real impact.”

For more information about Milligan University, visit the school’s website.