SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah’s iSTAR educational program focuses on children with autism — specifically teaching them how to use computers for 3-D modeling.

The university held a demonstration for parents and teachers Thursday to show how SketchUp, a free downloadable design program, could help children at home and in the classroom.

Children with autism often face challenges in school, but this program gives them an opportunity to shine and show people what they can do. The program uses Trimble’s SketchUp to display the child’s spatial-visual strengths.

Mason designed a character for a video game. The 15-year-old said he likes the program, “because you can do basically anything on it.”