Under the slogan “Full STEAM Ahead,” Polo Park Middle School is working to roll out its makerspace in the library media center. Thanks to a grant from the Jacobs Family Foundation of Wellington, students enrolled in STEM class will serve as mentors as Polo Park students explore technology in an informal setting.
The makerspace at Polo Park will be a creative environment where all learners can gather, learn and create with a focus on hands-on projects. This is another step towards Polo Park’s new IT magnet program starting next year.
The creative setting will be home to a host of activities, including high tech, low tech and no tech.
The library media center will be offering workshops throughout the year incorporating the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) disciplines. According to Nora Bernstein, these workshops will highlight the many talents of the students.
The first workshop was designing a paper maché bowl. Future workshops will include 3D printing, sewable circuits, weaving and jewelry design. Once participants lean basic skills, they can apply those principles in further exploration on their own. Next is the K’nex Big Ball Factory as part of the makerspace activities.
ABOVE: Polo Park students create paper maché bowls in the makerspace.
