The challenge issued by Brock University’s Faculty of Education was clear: identify an accessibility issue and then research, design and build a product or device to help individuals with disabilities overcome the barrier to everyday living.

Now, teams of shop class students from six high schools in Niagara, Peel and Stratford will put their concepts to the test in a battle for bragging rights and a $2,000 top prize in the Brock School Maker Challenge.

The competition will be held during the Brock University Faculty of Education’s ninth annual Teaching with Technology Showcase Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Hamilton Campus.

“It’s impressive and inspiring to see the kinds of everyday living problems the school teams have discovered and the resourcefulness they’ve shown in coming up with creative, practical and working solutions,” Tony DiPetta, the Maker Challenge co-ordinator and associate professor in the Faculty of Education.

“When people wonder where society’s entrepreneurs and tradespeople are going to come from, I suggest they look at the work these shop class teams have done and they will realize the value of school High Skills Majors programs and the new ICE (Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship) initiative.”

The winners of Wednesday’s Brock School Maker Challenge will be selected by a judging panel of industry and community leaders and technology experts. The winning team will earn $2,000. Second wins $1,500 and third, $500.

The competition is part of Brock’s Tech Showcase taking place at the Hamilton Campus. The Showcase provides a chance for practicing teachers, teacher education candidates and university faculty members to learn about the latest innovations available to the education community and a forum to discuss how new technology is being used.