Photo/Video advisory: Marquette's Opus College of Engineering to host first of two adaptive toy build days, Nov. 9

Nov. 6, 2024

MILWAUKEE - The Opus College of Engineering at Marquette University and Penfield Children's Center will host two build days with Marquette students and area high school students, adapting toys to increase accessibility for children for use at Penfield Children's Center on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Marquette's Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Media are invited to attend, capture footage of the build activity, and speak with volunteers from Marquette and Penfield Children's Center in one of two windows: from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Build days will feature local high school students, Marquette students from engineering and occupational therapy, and Penfield volunteers working collectively to transform traditional toys into adaptive toys. Through a collaboration with local FIRST Robotics teams and Marquette, participants will undergo a training session and then execute the electrical modifications for adaptive switch installation on six different styles of toys. Adapting these toys with large button switches increases the accessibility for a child to independently engage the toy and experience the reaction.

Builders will adapt six different types of toys on each build day, with a goal of building 240 toys.

Event information:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

• Where: Marquette's Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballrooms, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.
• Parking: Parking is available in the 16th Street Parking Structure (749 N. 16th St.). A map of the visitor parking structures can be found here.

Media interested in attending the Nov. 9 build day should contact Kevin Conway, associate director of university communication, at [email protected].

• A second adaptive toy build day will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23.

This event is a part of a collaboration among Penfield Children's Center, Kohl's Building Blocks and Marquette University's Opus College of Engineering that provides adaptive toys to children in the Milwaukee community. This program originated from the realization that children learn best through play, but not all children can play with toys the same way. For some children with varying abilities, interacting with toys can be more challenging; therefore, modifications need to be made so that these children can learn, play and communicate independently.

• Read more about Penfield Children's Center Inclusive Play: Toys for All program

About Penfield Children's Center

As a leader in child development, Penfield Children's Center helps children with and without disabilities reach their full potential by providing early education, health and wellness services, and family programs. For more information on Penfield, media should contact Shelby Schnell, director of marketing and communications, at [email protected].

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or [email protected].