North Texas high school engineers build life-changing devices for 3-year-old

At Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, high school engineering students are turning classroom lessons into life-changing solutions for a three-year-old boy.

James Hauser, who has a rare genetic condition called 1p36 deletion syndrome, faces daily challenges with physical and developmental delays.

These students are building devices to make everyday activities like bathing, playing, and reading more accessible and fun.

James's father, Nick Hauser, is a TCA alum, making the project even more meaningful.

"It's really cool that my alma mater is doing this, taking an interest in children with special needs," he said. "It means a lot to me, it means a lot to our family."

The students split into teams to tackle different challenges:

• Bathtub station – a custom reclinable bath chair with adjustable cushions and an angle to keep James safe and comfortable during bath time.
• Pool station – a flotation device to help James enjoy the water safely.
• Interactive playstation – a table with bright lights, sounds, and a built-in book mount to encourage play and help him interact with his favorite activities.

Lacie Betts, one of the students, explained, "He loves his books, so we made him a little book reader. The table also protects him if he flings forward or backward. It's all about keeping him safe while engaging him."

For most of these students, this is the first time their work has had a direct impact beyond the classroom.

"To finally show them what they were going to use and see their smiles, it was awesome," said Scotty Drake, another student working on the bath chair.

Teacher Teresa Rosario, a former computer programmer and TCA's Upper School Math and Engineering instructor, sees these projects as more than just assignments.

"This one makes an eternal impact on the family," Rosario said. "It ignites the students' desire to do their best—not just for a grade, but for James and his family."

The students visited the Hauser home during the design process to understand James's daily needs.

Nick Hauser said the hands-on experience made a huge difference. 

"Having a table at the right height, toys in the right place—it's going to be amazing for him," he said.

For these TCA seniors, the project is a lesson in empathy, creativity, and problem-solving.

"The biggest takeaway? Knowing that everything we do can have a good cause and impact someone who really needs it," said Drake.

The students presented their final projects to the Hauser family on April 1, showing how engineering can truly make a difference in real life.