A robotic watering can, a joystick-operated water gun, a robotic boot that can kick balls, an electronic “Jeopardy!” board. These are some of the devices that Scott Stein, a science teacher at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and his science students have designed to help people living with disabilities.

Stein’s leadership in creating these technologies with his students has recently earned him the Intellectual Wellness Award of Excellence from the Philadelphia Intellectual DisAbility Services.

Stein was nominated for the award by United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), which is a Chestnut Hill-based organization, offering programs and assistance to people living with cerebral palsy and other similar disabilities. For the last several years, Stein and his classes have worked at UCP creating devices to help disabled people accomplish daily tasks and engage in activities they otherwise could not because of their disabilities, which confine many of them to wheelchairs.

In 2009, Stein and his applied physics and design class began working with people at UCP as part of a science project. Each student partnered with a buddy or client at UCP in order to create adaptive equipment for their clients to use to make their everyday tasks easier. Through this project, Stein encouraged students to use their passion and scientific knowledge to help and impact others.

Lylian Melendez, director of therapeutic activities at UCP, said of Scott, “What is amazing about Scott is that with great clarity, he used his passion for science to change people’s involvement to be less like spectators and more like actors on their environment.”

Stein also encouraged students to form personal relationships with their clients. By becoming friends with their buddies, the students were better able to create equipment that would help them.

“He has been a teacher, friend, and mentor to UCP individuals as well as to his students. For UCP individuals, the relationship with Scott, faculty and students foster a positive self-image, self worth and opportunity for friendships,” Melendez said.

Under Stein’s leadership, the science project developed into a partnership with UCP that has continued to this day. Multiple science classes, including a summer program, have participated in the project, creating new devices and even improving old ones. The partnership gives students the chance to implement their studies and make a tangible impact on the community, and it allows the people at UCP to forge meaningful relationships with the students.

In addition to creating devices for UCP’s use, students also go to UCP monthly as part of the Science Outreach Program to work on science projects with their clients. Students and clients build circuits, play with magnets and plant gardens. Some Springside clubs also visit UCP to play chess or sports with the clients, put on musical performances, or do a fashion show with clients walking or wheeling down the runway.

As a result of Stein’s leadership and service, he was honored with the Intellectual Wellness Award of Excellence at the 24th Annual City of Philadelphia Brighter Futures Awards, which are sponsored by the Philadelphia Intellectual DisAbility Services. These awards seek to celebrate the accomplishments of people who strive to support people with intellectual disabilities.