Superstars in Education & Training: Brandywine School District

Building Bridges Through Empathy

Brandywine School District’s Empathetic Engineering Program is empowering students and transforming lives

BY REGINA DONATO | PHOTOS BY NICK WALLACE PHOTOGRAPHY

AMIDST ROWS OF LOCKERS in Brandywine School District’s (BSD) high schools, a revolution is underway—one that marries technical skills with compassionate innovation. BSD’s Empathetic Engineering Program, founded in the 2015-2016 school year at Concord and Brandywine High Schools, is a groundbreaking initiative that merges engineering principles with empathy to create inclusive technical solutions for individuals with special needs. The program has since expanded into Mount Pleasant High School as well, where 250 students participate every year districtwide.

Incorporating human-centered design, a methodology that places the user at the heart of the design process, these level 3 design and engineering students don’t just learn engineering fundamentals; they delve deep into understanding the challenges faced by their clients with special needs. Through immersive experiences like empathy interviews, students build trust, gather crucial information, and gain a firsthand perspective on the barriers their clients are experiencing.

“From customizable assistive devices to participate in physical education classes to innovative measurement tools in the workplace, our students’ creations have garnered praise for their functionality, affordability, and most importantly, their ability to positively impact the lives of our clients,” says Michelle Kutch, director of curriculum, instruction, & assessment at Brandywine School District. “Working with the special needs population fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse needs. Students also learn to consider various perspectives, leading to more inclusive and thoughtful designs.”

Students go through a variety of steps to create these innovative designs. After defining the problem with their client, students break it down using a matrix to consider factors like cost, safety, and user needs. They brainstorm solutions, prioritizing function over aesthetics, and then research existing products for inspiration. Technical drawings lead to prototypes that are tested with the client, fostering empathy as students see the impact of their design. The project then concludes with a professional presentation reflecting on the entire process.

The program has forged partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, area hospitals, and various other institutions throughout its existence. Over the years, students have developed a plethora of innovative products, including adaptive sports equipment for BSD elementary schools, a streamlined weighing machine for sorting and packaging dog treats, a barcode scanning device tailored for pharmaceutical sorting, assistive devices to enhance classroom performance, and braces enabling individuals with physical disabilities to play musical instruments, among others. These remarkable creations have significantly improved the quality of life for their users, facilitating enhanced success in both educational and professional environments, regardless of age or life stage.

“Our projects have received acclaim not only within our school and local community, but also in regional engineering competitions,” explains Kutch. “More importantly, the smiles on the faces of those we have assisted serve as a testament to the real success of the program.”

Beyond teaching high schoolers important skills and positively impacting the clients in which the engineered products serve, the program also has a much wider impact on Delaware’s workforce. Graduates of the Empathetic Engineering program are well-prepared for careers in STEM-related fields, no matter where they end up going to school or continuing their career. Their hands-on experience in empathetic engineering gives them a unique perspective that is increasingly valued in industries that focus on inclusivity and human-centered design.

The Brandywine School District’s Empathetic Engineering Program is more than just a high school STEM course; it’s a transformative journey that fosters empathy, problem-solving, and a drive to create a more inclusive world. “We are so thrilled to be considered a Superstar in Education and Training by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. We know how great our programming is, but to be recognized by our workforce and industry partners is truly an honor,” remarks Kutch. “Our teachers work incredibly hard to provide outstanding design and engineering opportunities for our students. To know that we are positively developing their future workforce is both validating and inspiring, and only reaffirms our dedication to our STEM programming.”