Children with disabilities are among the many assisted by College of Engineering projects on display at today's Learning Factory Project Showcase.

The showcase will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the HUB-Robeson Center.

Jorene Proper, a pediatric physical therapist for the Central Intermediate Unit, works closely with engineering students on projects that children with disabilities can use.

"As a physical therapist, you dream about equipment that you wish you could design and make for the children, but you don't have the time, money, or expertise to construct it," Proper said of the program.

"Having this program is a dream come true," she said.

Engineering students altered a Power Wheels vehicle so that it runs by switches that children with disabilities can use with their hands instead of a steering wheel and footpad.

"We saw a need for children with multi-disabilities to be independently mobile for the playground and other outdoor spaces," Proper said. "The car gives the children an opportunity to practice using the skills which teach them how to use a mechanical wheelchair."

Liz Cosharek (senior-electrical engineering) was a member of the group that modified the car this year for the Central Intermediate Unit.

"We called a wheelchair company and asked them to donate a joystick and we adapted the signal lines so it would be compatible with a car and another controller," Cosharek said. "The children can feel that they are in control [of the vehicle], and that is really important."

Other students made a tricycle for children with disabilities.

"We added straps so the kids' legs can be strapped in so they get used to the pedaling and maybe eventually they can do it on their own," John Aspinall (senior-mechanical engineering) said.

Aspinall and his group adjusted the seat on the tricycle, added back and head supports, a seat belt and a torso strap for safety.

"One child was having so much fun driving that when I said it was time to be done he pushed reverse and grinned," Proper said with a smile. "He is unable to run away, so it was his first chance to run away and he loved it."

Senior design projects from mechanical, industrial, electrical, aerospace engineering and computer science students will be on display, said John Lamancusa, mechanical engineering professor and director of the Learning Factory.

Some project sponsors include AgrAbility, the Central Intermediate Unit, Energy Institute, Visteon and Westinghouse.

The designs will be judged at today's showcase and bookstore gift certificates will be awarded. Nearly $10,000 worth of Microsoft products will also be raffled off.