T.A. Blakelock HS student uses STEM skills to support accessibility
Grade 11 student Jonah Lim-Tran turned his passion for STEM into meaningful action by founding a Makers Making Change club at T. A. Blakelock HS. The club produces assistive devices for individuals and organizations across Canada, helping improve accessibility for people living with disabilities.
"I just found the whole idea that engineering could have a direct impact on people with disabilities really interesting," said Jonah. "I found more meaning in building solutions that help others than in creating things without a clear purpose."
After discovering the non-profit organization Makers Making Change, Jonah applied to its Clubs That Care program and received a $3,000 grant to launch a school-based chapter. The funding allowed him to purchase a 3D printer, soldering equipment and other tools and materials needed to manufacture assistive devices.
Since launching the club, Jonah has recruited student volunteers, organized training sessions and managed the procurement of materials needed for each project. Club members learn soldering and assembly before working together to build devices requested through Makers Making Change's online platform.
Among the devices students have created are low-profile switches and raindrop switches, which are specialized adaptive tools that allow people with limited motor function to interact more easily with technology.
"Applying technical skills to focus on human needs directly is really important," said Jonah. "It ensures that innovation actually translates into real-world accessibility and impact.”
The devices the club produces are shipped to organizations and service providers across Canada, including hospitals and support centres. Through the Makers Making Change network, Jonah reviews requests, selects projects the club can complete and oversees the production process from start to finish.
Along the way, he has gained valuable experience in leadership, project management and problem-solving.
"There were definitely challenges I faced," Jonah said. "Learning how to use new tools such as a 3D printer, getting materials delivered on time and sometimes having to delay meetings was frustrating. But I learned that things happen and they're not always in your control. You just have to adapt, keep moving forward and make the best of the time you have."
Jonah credits the I-STEM program at T. A. Blakelock HS for helping prepare him for the challenges of leading the club.
"The human-centred design project sparked my interest," he said. "Doing a lot of projects in I-STEM taught me about project management, working in groups and communicating with other people. It helped me be more prepared to run something like this."
Ainslie-Maria D'Alesio, the T. A. Blakelock HS teacher who supported Jonah’s application to the Clubs That Care program, has watched the initiative grow from an idea into a chance for students to make a real-world impact.
"I was thrilled that he felt confident enough to go for it," she said. "When he received the grant, I knew it was going to be such a great opportunity. I'm just really proud."
As the club prepares for another year, Jonah hopes to continue building devices that improve accessibility while giving fellow students opportunities to apply their STEM skills in meaningful ways.
The most rewarding part for Jonah is seeing how he can directly improve people's lives.
"I think it's important to keep thinking about how engineering and STEM can help people directly," he said. "That should always be a core priority when we’re creating or innovating."
