“Excellence means more here” is more than just a catchy new tagline for Shorewood Public Schools. A tour through the new Maker Space Lab at Shorewood Intermediate School was a great example of this to SEED board member, Sarah Lehmann.
Located on the third floor of Shorewood Intermediate School, this amazing lab is filled with possibilities, and was made possible by funding through SEED. Sarah had the opportunity to tour the space in September and sit in on two 7th grade science classes with science teacher Claire Bernatz, who wrote the grant for the space. Ms. Bernatz saw a need for a space after adopting science standards inclusive of engineering and the design process. She noted that “SIS had a lot of random bits that we were making do with, but at the end of last year (after the Maker Space was funded by SEED), we were able to become more intentional with our integration of engineering into the curriculum.”
The space is inspiring: equipped with Legos, soldering tools, a breadboard to create circuits, sewing machines, hot glue, plastic and cardboard, screws and screwdrivers, and safe tools for cutting, shredding, and manipulating wood–just to list a few. The room is set up for the students to collaborate on their projects with large tables seating 8 or 9 kids with electric outlets, white boards to share ideas, and small couches for quiet discussions.
On the day Sarah visited, 7th grade science students were using the Maker Space to create an incubator able to keep a hibiscus flower at a constant 75 degrees using bubble wrap, cardboard, styrofoam, hot glue, foil and screws. All the kids succeeded–although not all on the first try. She asked two students, Paul Haigh and Liam Flanagan, what they found to be most valuable about the project. They noted the strength of not over designing–that just because something looks good, doesn’t mean it will actually work. “Starting simple takes less time and sometimes works better.” Additionally the students learned about water temperature and effects of water heating/cooling in organic matter, heating and cooling strategies in structures, and how to make materials malleable. Finally Paul noted “the best part is the friends made along the way.”
Robin Hooker, Director of Global Product Innovation at UPS, noted in his TED talk “A Maker Space for Everyone” that “while equipment is important, Maker Spaces are really about people…although we are more digitally connected, we are more isolated than ever before…What would happen if we made it easy for diverse cultures, generations, genders to bump into each other? Would we see the world differently? Be a more connected culture?” This lab has the potential to go beyond the classroom creating bonds and connections–the emotional tools Shorewood students will use well into adulthood as they navigate shifting political and social environments.
While the space is mostly used during science classes, any teacher can reserve it. The tables and white boards are mobile allowing for group collaborations in English and Social Studies classes, for example. Additionally, the space is open for “Maker Space Wednesday” from 10:55-12:05. Each month specific design principles are posted for the kids to tinker or create, supervised by the librarian. Last month students were able to make a small scale roller coaster, a shadow box, or origami. The possibilities are endless, and the benefits are many.
All of this was made possible by donations from supporters such as yourself, so thank you! SEED’s annual campaign is going on now, and if you haven’t already donated, we hope you will join us in raising funds for innovative projects and opportunities such as these by donating to our annual fund today.