2nd Annual Hack the Holidays Adapt-It Workshop Highlights Student Innovation and Community Spirit

The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) proudly hosted the 2nd Annual Hack the Holidays Adapt-It Workshop, a heartwarming initiative that blends technical skills, student creativity, and community service. This event, which took place on November 25, 2024, at Belle River District High School and November 27, 2024, at Tecumseh Vista Academy, highlighted the incredible partnership between GECDSB and the John McGivney School Authority.

A Unique Holiday Initiative

The Hack the Holidays workshop brings together students, educators, and community partners to adapt toys for children with physical limitations. Students reconfigure traditional toys by modifying their wiring and adding accessible switches, turning them into inclusive gifts for JMCC families. The initiative exemplifies the transformative power of education in fostering innovation and inclusivity.

The Process: Where Ingenuity Meets Generosity

Guided by their teachers and experts from John McGivney, high school students from across the GECDSB engaged in the technical process of adapting toys. They learned to:

• Add audio jacks for enhanced connectivity.

• Incorporate larger, easy-to-press external switches to make toys accessible to children with exceptionalities.

Each toy presented a unique challenge, with students required to analyze internal mechanisms and determine the best way to enable specific functions like movement, sound, or lighting. As Kelsey Smith, Jon McGivney's Education Consultant, explained, "The adaptations are simple in theory, but the internal workings of toys vary greatly, making it both a challenge and a rewarding learning experience for the students."

Why It Matters

The workshop not only provided an opportunity for students to develop real-world technical skills but also reinforced the importance of community service. By participating, students earned an SHSM elective certification and gained invaluable experience working alongside community partners like John McGivney School Authority.

More importantly, the adapted toys bring joy and accessibility to children who may otherwise face challenges enjoying traditional toys. These gifts offer families an inclusive and thoughtful way to celebrate the holiday season.