Union Elementary Students Help Blind Classmate Navigate School

4th and 5th-graders create a device to assist a blind student in their district

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:48pm

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Students at Darnaby Elementary in Tulsa, Oklahoma have created a device called 'Sound Scout' to help a blind classmate at Jarman Elementary navigate the school's hallways. The device, which attaches to the student's wheelchair, uses distance sensors and buzzers to alert her when she is approaching walls or objects, providing her with more independence and safety.

Why it matters

This story highlights the compassion and problem-solving skills of young students, who took it upon themselves to create an assistive technology solution for a peer in need. It showcases how students can make a meaningful impact on their community and demonstrates the power of STEM education to empower students to be innovative problem-solvers.

The details

The project was spearheaded by Paulina Rodriguez's physical therapist, Rhiannon Cook, who wanted to find a way to help the 6-year-old blind student navigate the crowded hallways at Jarman Elementary. Cook reached out to the 4th and 5th-grade STEM program at Darnaby Elementary, where students, with the help of their teacher MacKensie Mathison and funding from the Opp Project and Google, designed and built the 'Sound Scout' device. Attached to the bottom of Paulina's wheelchair, the device uses distance sensors and buzzers to alert her when she is within 10 inches of a wall or object, providing her with more safety and independence.

  • The project was initiated in early 2026 after Paulina's physical therapist identified the need.
  • The Darnaby Elementary students spent several months designing and building the 'Sound Scout' device.
  • The device was completed and installed on Paulina's wheelchair in March 2026.

The players

Paulina Rodriguez

A 6-year-old blind student at Jarman Elementary who uses a wheelchair to get around her school.

Rhiannon Cook

Paulina's physical therapist who reached out to Darnaby Elementary students to create a solution to help Paulina navigate the school.

MacKensie Mathison

The teacher who guided the Darnaby Elementary students in designing and building the 'Sound Scout' device.

Brody

A 4th-grade student at Darnaby Elementary who was part of the team that created the 'Sound Scout' device.

Brittany Lewallen

The special education teacher at Jarman Elementary who praised the Darnaby students' efforts to help Paulina.

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What they’re saying

“I was looking for something that when she gets close to something, it'll alert her and tell her where she is. And with different sounds so she can know what side of things something is.”

— Rhiannon Cook, Paulina's physical therapist

“To be able to take all of that and actually help somebody in need was a really cool impact. They're learning that they're engineers now.”

— MacKensie Mathison, Darnaby Elementary teacher

“Everyone loves her. Everyone wants to be her friend. So knowing this came from other students is just amazing.”

— Brittany Lewallen, Jarman Elementary special education teacher

What’s next

The staff at Jarman Elementary say the ultimate goal is to have the distance sensors installed on the front, back, and underneath Paulina's wheelchair to provide her with even more comprehensive navigation assistance.

The takeaway

This heartwarming story demonstrates the power of student-led innovation and the positive impact it can have on the lives of their peers. By leveraging their STEM skills, the Darnaby Elementary students were able to create a meaningful solution that promotes independence and inclusion for a classmate in need, setting an inspiring example of compassion and problem-solving.