IATP has partnered with the Illinois State University (ISU) Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center throughout the 2024-2025 academic year on a variety of activities and events aimed at strengthening the knowledge of AT devices and services for students preparing to become teachers in both general and special education classrooms.

On March 18, 2025, part two of a training series offered by IATP at the SEAT Center lab took place during their Spring Open House event. The training was designed to not only familiarize students and faculty with IATP but also focus on targeted topics specific to the integration of AT in the classroom. The March 18th training featured the IATP Makers Program and how custom AT can be designed, manufactured, and implemented across educational settings. Real life case studies highlighting some of the Makers recent success stories along with hands-on demonstrations of devices, helped attendees better understand the process of custom AT fabrication. Participants also discussed ways to identify and build relationships with makers in their own local school districts. Attendees included students and faculty from serval majors such as special education, physical education, music education, family and consumer science, and blind/low vision instruction.

The IATP Maker Program has participated in several STEAM-focused IDEA Regional Competitions around Illinois as well as the Career SPARK Expo in Quincy.

Check out the IATP Maker Website to see all upcoming STEAM events.