Students at Milwaukee's Golda Meir school are getting hands-0n STEM education, thanks to a new maker space inside their school.
What is a maker space? And how did MPS get the funding?
Find out in the story below.
Gold Meir school has a new maker space.
The school is "empowering imagination through innovation," said Michelle Morris-Carter, grades 3-12 principal, referencing the motto painted on the wall at the new tech lab. "I think that speaks to the work that is occurring every day in this classroom space."
The new maker space is stocked with the latest and greatest technologies—3D printing, laser engraving and tools to learn robotics and electrical engineering—for the middle school students to dig into.
"This has been a dream for us. And to actually see it in action is pretty exciting," Morris-Carter said.
Walking around, I met 7th grader Luis. He was manning the laser engraver.
He said working in the lab adds another layer to the classroom setting.
"I'm a tactile learner," he said. "I feel like I get more out of it than reading a book."
Luis says he wants to go on to study engineering—he's just gotta finish middle school first.
"I think it's pretty epic," says 8th grader Saniah.
She says she hopes her career will take her to the music world. And even as a more artistic type, she finds plenty to keep her fascinated at the maker space.
"I've always been a curious child. So, science and technology has just been one of the areas I've wanted to learn more about, even if I don't go into something specifically in this area.
"So, it's just it's been one of those things I wanted to know about, just in case."
Unique business partnership
So who pays for all this? Principal Morris-Carter said the new maker space wouldn’t be possible without it’s partnership with Eaton Technologies. The power management supplied a $30,000 grant to buy the equipment, but its relationship with MPS went deeper.
"I think it definitely starts not with just asking for equipment. Eaton's partnership with Golda started before any of these machines came to be.
"It was this simple coming in, giving us ideas, judging our science fair projects. Helping students see careers in STEM fields," Morris-Carter said.
MPS is always looking for business partnerships to enhance what it does in the classroom. For more info, go to mpsmke.com/Partnerships.
