Tennessee Tech students are providing custom-built assistive devices to Middle Tennessee children with special needs through the Tech Engineering for Kids program.
Mechanical engineering professor Stephen Canfield said the program has operated for more than 25 years to provide tailored tools for children at no cost to their families. The press release said the initiative relies on community donations to fund the materials needed for students to build sensory boards, adaptive play equipment, and prosthetics.
“After I saw all of the good this program was doing for both the Tech students and the children whose needs are being served, I became compelled to try to get others to donate,” Richard Carlton said.
Recent financial support from Richard Carlton and Dr. Satya Chakrabarty (Sot-Yuh Shock-Ruh-Bar-T) and Sangita Chakrabarty helps students transition from theoretical problems to real-world applications. Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Chair Mohan Rao (Rawwww – like owwww with an R) said the donations support the mission of providing undergraduate students with graduate-level engineering experiences.
“Tech Engineering for Kids is a really good program, an exceptionally good program,” Richard Carlton said. “What these students are doing as undergraduates is comparable to graduate-level work that I’ve seen.”
Sangita Chakrabarty said the program allows students to see the immediate results of their classroom learning through community service.
“Students can see what they learn in class and put it to use,” Sangita Chakrabarty said. “When they see that, they learn faster, and they never forget that experience.”
Dr. Satya Chakrabarty said the philanthropy is inspired by a professional philosophy of helping children in every way possible. The press release said the donors were also influenced by the support they received from Tennessee Tech faculty after moving to the area.
“They’re using their talent not just to invent something for the sake of inventing it,” Richard Carlton said. “They’re listening to what the world needs.”
The press release said those interested in supporting the program can contact the university at 931-372-6102.
