Classroom Happenings: Designing Costumes, Creating Halloween Joy

In the Sophomore Seminar, Fundamentals of Design Thinking, students look at how design impacts our everyday life and the world around us. They learn how to use design thinking processes to solve user-centered problems. This fall, they had a special opportunity to apply these lessons to help local children with disabilities.

The sophomores partnered with C.A.T.S., which provides adaptive technology services to children, to build adaptive Halloween costumes. 

They interviewed four families they met through C.A.T.S. to learn about the children’s Halloween wishes. They asked the children about their dream costumes and what adaptations they’d need to enjoy a fun, candy-filled trick-or-treating experience.

“The students asked questions about sensory needs and physical abilities, and also took pictures and measurements to get a comprehensive picture of what to build,” said Alexa Bolt, coordinator of service learning and community engagement, who co-coordinated this project with Upper School teacher Elizabeth Crenshaw. “They then sent sketches to the families to pick their favorite idea.”

Using materials provided both by C.A.T.S. and the Bryan Innovation Lab, the students built Oscar the Grouch and his trash can, a Cinderella carriage, a Thomas the Train Engine, and a nearly full-size replica of the Punisher van being rescued by Spider-Man.

The sophomores presented the costumes live to the recipients this week. In an extra special moment, the recipient of Cinderella’s carriage received her costume along with a sweet visit from Sydnee Stewart ’29 in costume as Cinderella, as that is her role in our upcoming fall play.

“I’ve been interested in helping kids with disabilities,” shared Shalini Mason ’29, who helped build Cinderella’s costume. “So, when we got the idea to do the carriage to fit around a wheelchair, I was really excited! Then we came up with the idea of a costume to go with the carriage. We embroidered gems and tulle on the costume and made sure it was adapted to fit with her wheelchair. It was a really nice experience to help someone.”

Ms. Bolt explained that this experience was quintessential service learning. “We built on what students are learning in the classroom by creating a product that serves others. Students now see that careers in design and design thinking can create things for kids who need adaptive technology to thrive in the world. It’s a powerful reminder of what we can achieve if we shift our worldview to focus on serving others.”

The costumes will be judged in a C.A.T.S. Halloween contest before the organization’s trunk-or-treat. The sophomores were invited by Ms. Bolt to volunteer at the trunk-or-treat, and she also offered to help connect Spartan families to C.A.T.S. if they are interested in volunteering in other ways.