Making Mother’s Day Special at SBCCD’s MakerSpace
By Brandon Trussell / San Bernardino Community College District
The San Bernardino Communty College District’s MakerSpace is a new and innovative concept that brings a whole new style to learning. For kids K-12 and adults of all ages, the MakerSpace has been a tool to further learning and skill sets. The MakerSpace is a California Community College initiative to prepare students with STEM/STEAM careers in the future by driving innovation in education. This purpose induces more civic engagement to spur creativity, STEAM readiness, and reading comprehension for students with free learning activities without creating the work-hard, study-hard environment of classrooms and their elements that may not be suited to every student’s needs.
This month, SBCCD hosted a third grade class of E. Neil Roberts Elementary. There were 23 enthusiastic students who were chaperoned by two parents and their teacher, Mrs. Sturlaugson. During their visit, students created pre-developed items using one of the MakerSpace’s new and techy 3D printers. The kids also had the chance to create assorted gifts for Mother’s Day which included a gift bag, Mother’s Day card, their very own painted Emoji keychain and decorated mug. Mrs. Sturlaugson’s class left very enthusiastic and with cutting edge knowledge of what the MakerSpace has to offer.
For now, SBCCD’s MakerSpace is located within the Applied Technology Training Center and is equipped with a large variety of 3D printers and Circuit Makers. The 3D printers have the capability to print with a variety of basic filaments and even more extravagant ones such like glow in the dark and glitter. The Circuit Makers, on the other hand, are designed to cut a various materials including wood, cloth, foam, paper and more. On the horizon for this space will be heavy duty carving machines, banner making equipment and more. This space, the resources within it, and the concept that bore its creation were implemented in hopes to spark creative ways to educate students and promote further education and attendance at the District’s colleges.
For more information contact Ashley Gaines at againes@sbccd.edu or (909) 382–4074.
