The “Makerspace” is a space at Franklin High School that was started by Pedro Melendrez, the robotics teacher, to inspire and promote creativity and hands-on learning experiences.
The space is located in Melendrez’s classroom in A206. Some materials, technology, and gadgets included in the space are a 3D printer, VEX robotics kits, coding materials, and a laser engraver. The space also includes some non-tech materials like sewing kits and paints.When asked what prompted him to create this space at FHS, Melendrez said, “I got frustrated that we didn’t have more things in the classroom.”
The fact is that students often struggle to be engaged in their learning, records from Voices of Gen Z Study show that 25% – 54% of students do not feel engaged in their learning at school.
For that reason, we need teachers and materials that will meet student’s learning needs. “I want to enjoy my teaching as much as students want to enjoy their learning,” said Melendrez.
Thus, Makerspace aims to be a place where students can create, tinker, personalize, and be immersed in their learning into an item that they can take home and that can be meaningful to them.
The goal is to optimize engagement; with these materials, students can experience learning in new ways that make them incorporate more of their senses and more learning elements and create more active participation in the students’ learning was one of the points Melendrez made during his interview.
Furthermore, Makerspace encourages students to find something they like, a new passion inside the classroom.
Another motive Melendrez had in mind when starting this project was to encourage students to participate more and get further in STEM competitions. Melendrez said that students from schools with higher-funded science programs tend to get further in STEM competitions, so he wanted to provide more opportunities to students at FHS to level that playing field a little.
FHS student Jenia Mcenzie (9) recently worked on a project through Makerspace that was very meaningful and personal to her. The project was a gift to her grandmother. Mcenzie’s grandfather recently passed away, and her grandparents had been very close, so Mcenzie made an acrylic board as a gift to her grandmother to comfort her during this time.
“Me and my grandmother have a very strong connection, so it was a very special moment to see her happy,” Mcenzie said.
Broke Fam (7), a student at FHS, said her favorite thing about Makerspace is “…all the things you can do in one program…so many things, you can put your mind into so many things and learn new things while doing so.”
Students interested in getting into Makerspace at Franklin can see Melendrez in room A204 and schedule a time to work and use the materials available. Currently, Makerspace is free during the 1st, 4th, and 6th periods, but there is room for flexibility. Finally, teachers are encouraged to reach out and set appointments for their whole classes and to use the space for class projects.