WHAT IS A MAKERSPACE?
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale has a functioning Makerspace in eight of our branches.
With technology and tools that focus on STEAM learning, we can provide hands-on experiences for our club members that they may not have the opportunity to experience in any other environment. These spaces allow us to help develop critical 21st-century learning skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation.
MAKERSPACE STUDIO MISSION
To prepare our members for 21st Century careers by establishing and operating innovative, collaborative spaces that encourage fun, creativity, and cutting-edge learning in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics for school-aged youth throughout the organization.
MEET STACY: STEAM Makerspace Director
Stacy came to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale in early 2022 from Moses Lake, Washington. As a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator, LEGO Master Educator, Piper Ambassador, Certified Epic! Educator, OSMO Ambassador, Makey Makey Certified Educator, and Ozobot Certified Educator she teaches our members the best way to learn is by doing! Stacy is currently working on her doctorate in Educational Technology through Boise State University with a research emphasis in learning through making and 3D printing.
Stacy’s Specialties: Instruction, education technology, STEM, coding, design thinking, Makerspace and 3D printing … and more!
WHAT WE DO IN OUR MAKERSPACES
3D PRINTING
All our Makerspace Studios are equipped with 3D printers to give our Club members the opportunity to design and print 3D objects.
DRONES
It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a DRONE! In the Makerspace, members are given challenges to utilize drone technology to complete different tasks, giving them the opportunity to solve problems individually and in a group setting.
DIY STEM
DIY STEM is a hands-on, activity-based STEM curriculum which connects youth aged 9 to 12 to science themes they encounter regularly. Special attention is paid to connections of theory and application and the common interactions members have with these scientific principles. DIY STEM currently includes five modules: Energy and Electricity, Engineering Design, Food Chemistry, Science of Sports: Football.
DIY STEM provides youth who might otherwise not have access to STEM experiences with simple, fun, hands-on activities. Exposure to science, technology, engineering and math is critical during the tween years, when young people’s natural curiosity drives interest and builds capacity for success in these disciplines.
