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For many first-year engineering students, what it means to be an engineer is an abstract concept. Introducing major-related classes early in an engineer's education helps students answer, "what is an engineer?" However, these classes often lack connections between engineering and society. Additionally, current courses do not always effectively support students in becoming experienced problem solvers. To address the connection between engineering and society and to help students develop their confidence in problem solving, the Toy Adaptation Program (TAP) at The Ohio State University provides students with a hands-on experience modifying electronic toys for children with special needs. These adapted toys are donated to toy-lending libraries and families in-need, so that families are not burdened with the increased cost and inconvenience of purchasing marked-up adapted toys from select toy manufacturers. For this "In Progress" paper for the Community Engagement in Engineering Education Division, we will introduce the program in its current format along with our assessment techniques and next steps.

She earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from Ohio State and earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech. Her research interests focus on the intersection between motivation and identity of undergraduate and graduate students, first-year engineering programs, mixed methods research, and innovative approaches to teaching. Ms. Elizabeth Riter, Ohio State University Elizabeth is currently in her 6th year as the Program Manager and Advisor for the Green Engineering Scholars Program at The Ohio State University. She graduated with her B.S. in Civil Engineering from Ohio State in 2007 and with her M.S. in Structural Engineering from Ohio State in 2013. She worked as a Structural Engineer for J.D. Stevenson & Associates in Chicago, IL for 2.5 years designing structural components within nuclear power plants in the midwest. In her current role, she teaches, mentors, and advises first and second year Ohio State engineering students in their pursuit of a degree and career in engineering.

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