AZ High School Students Challenged to Create Life-Changing Assistive Technology for 5-Year-Old Boy

PHOENIX, AZ (July 29, 2025) – Southwest Human Development announces the launch of the 2025 MAKERS of Change Assistive Technology Challenge, inviting Arizona high school STEM teams to develop innovative solutions that will directly improve the life of Levi, a 5-year-old boy from Phoenix living with Cerebral Palsy.

The challenge, now in its eighth year, engages Valley high school science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), coding, robotics and technology teams to create real-world assistive devices that enhance the lives of young children with disabilities.

Meet Levi: The Inspiration Behind This Year's Challenge

Levi, born at just 25 weeks, spent 134 days in the NICU overcoming significant medical challenges. Now five years old and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, his loving family seeks to create inclusive play-based activities that Levi can enjoy independently, with his two younger brothers, or together as a whole family.

The Challenge: Innovation Meets Inclusion

Student teams of 3-5 members are tasked with identifying a play-based activity that Levi and his siblings can enjoy together, then developing or enhancing an assistive device to support Levi's participation. Solutions should promote shared fun, improve physical activity, and provide meaningful engagement for all three brothers.

Participating teams will create comprehensive posters showcasing their design process and produce videos demonstrating their assistive devices in action. Up to 10 finalist teams will advance to in-person presentations where community volunteer judges will evaluate solutions.

Program Timeline and Participation

The 2025 challenge officially begins August 18, with submissions due September 22. Finalist presentations will take place on October 17.

Any Arizona high school team is eligible to participate and must register by August 11. The program targets STEM, coding, robotics, and technology programs, connecting classroom learning with practical application and community service.

Building Tomorrow's Innovators

"This challenge represents the intersection of technical excellence and human compassion," said Louann Phillips, special events manager at Southwest Human Development. "Students don't just learn engineering principles, they experience how their skills can directly improve someone's quality of life."

The MAKERS of Change Challenge has consistently demonstrated the power of youth innovation in addressing real-world accessibility challenges. Previous years have produced creative solutions ranging from adaptive gaming controllers to mobility enhancement devices, and seating and positioning solutions for traveling outside a home setting.

Community Impact and Educational Value

Beyond the immediate benefit to Levi and his family, the challenge provides participating students with portfolio-worthy projects that demonstrate both technical competency and social awareness. Community volunteer judges from various professional fields provide mentorship and a real-world perspective throughout the evaluation process.

"We're not just teaching students to build things," explained Louann Phillips, special events manager at Southwest Human Development. "We're teaching them to build things that matter, for people who matter. That's the kind of engineering mindset that will serve them, and our community, for years to come."

About Southwest Human Development

Southwest Human Development has been serving Arizona families and children with disabilities for 44 years, providing comprehensive services that support development, inclusion, and family empowerment. The MAKERS of Change Challenge represents the organization's commitment to innovative, community-driven solutions for accessibility challenges.

How to Get Involved

Arizona high school teams interested in participating can register at https://www.swhd.org/makersofchange/.

Educational institutions, community leaders, and potential volunteer judges are encouraged to learn more about supporting this initiative by visiting https://www.swhd.org/makersofchange

About the MAKERS of Change Challenge

Now in its eighth year, the MAKERS of Change Assistive Technology Challenge has engaged hundreds of Arizona high school students in developing practical solutions for children with disabilities. The program bridges classroom STEM education with community service, creating meaningful learning experiences while generating real-world impact for Arizona families.