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A Makerspace Thank You

Earlier this year, I wrote about our school's plan to open a Makerspace. Like any new and good idea, our plan is still a work in progress. For the last two months, I've been assisting our MS PBL/Tech Teacher, Mrs. Darcy Dunbar, in teaching an after school mini course in our makerspace. It's been fun. Our students remind us each week what the power of creativity can yield. They have the ideas. We just need to get out of their way! As part of our mini course, we arranged a visit to a more formal makerspace in a nearby school, Queensbury High School. They have created a makerspace lab they call an Innovation Lab. It is led by an amazing teacher, Mr. Benjamin Grieco.

 Ben and Queensbury's Director of Technology, Matt Hladun agreed early on to let us visit. I had the chance to see their lab during EdcampUNY earlier this year and felt it could be an amazing space for some of our students to see. During the days leading up to the trip, staff in my building indicated an interest to attend as well. Each time I asked Ben if I could bring more people, he always answered yes.

 Know that energy and passion you sense from an amazing teacher? We could feel the creativity and passion in the room as soon as we entered. Mr. Grieco took our students on a short tour of room and then let them spend the next hour investigating, creating, exploring, collaborating -- PLAYING. One student of ours called it preschool for big kids. It might have felt like that as it was all self-directed. 

 The work our students were doing was supported by the kind " big kids" that were working in the room. I had wondered how high school students would accept "little kids" being in their space.  I need not worry. These high school students took our kids under their wing and made room for them immediately. It was pretty impressive to step back and watch.

 Our students were excited to work collaboratively, creating, playing and experimenting. The energy was infectious as they demonstrated their skills and successful creations in music, electricity, 3D printer software, robotics and more. 

 We are so grateful to an amazing, neighboring school district, allowing our students and staff members to experience this non-traditional learning environment and also bring back great new ideas to share at CMS! I'm also grateful to the adults that took time out of their schedules to attend this trip. This visit will certainly enhance our own makerspace moving forward.

 Check out some of our pictures from the trip!

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