Nearly 100 high school robotics students gathered Saturday morning in Kansas City to adapt toy cars for children with mobility challenges, creating opportunities for independence and play.
“We have a responsibility to make a real change in our community,” said Emily Smith, team captain of FRC Team 1939.
The event, called Go Baby Go, was sponsored by Variety KC, which donated the cars for the students to modify.
“The freedom, just the independence. Everybody wants to do something on their own and be able to move and go forward and play with their siblings,” said Joanna Long of Variety KC.
The initiative also aimed to teach students valuable lessons.
“I hope they learn how to design with empathy, build things with empathy, and think of other people,” said Bree Pusey, Barstow robotics coach.
The students worked to refit small, 6-volt toy cars for mobility, benefiting children like Eliz.
“He doesn’t have the opportunity to play like regular kids, so for him to sit here and be able to get a car and play with his siblings and have some sense of independence means a lot to us,” said Adriana Johnson, Eliz’s mother.
High school robotics students from nine area schools built seven different cars during the event.
“Every kid is unique, and each unique kid has their own unique circumstances,” Smith said.
Johnson expressed her excitement about what the modified car would mean for her family.
“They made a life-changing situation independently run over siblings and everything, so it’s gonna be a good thing for us. I’m excited,” Johnson said.
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