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Thanks to a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) grant received last year, the Widefield School District 3 (WSD3) STEM and Innovation Department is bringing hands-on learning to students and the community through a district-wide Makerspace initiative. These creative hubs, which are being established in schools from Pre-K to high school and at the Security Public Library, are designed to give everyone access to modern technology.

Each Makerspace is uniquely equipped with tools like 2D lasers, 3D printers, Circuit machines, flight simulators, robotic arms, and physics walls, allowing for seamless integration into the daily curriculum.

Makerspaces in the Elementary Schools

At Pinello Elementary, librarian Sarah Erway uses a physical wall in the library's Makerspace to spark creativity. Students first read the book "Rosie Revere, Engineer" before using the magnetic wall to build runways with ramps and tunnels for wooden balls. Through this process, they learn to collaborate and problem-solve.

"The wall has generated a favorable response from the students," Erway said. "Because it's hands-on and interactive, students are excited to experiment, build, and problem-solve while working together." She added that it makes STEM feel "more fun and approachable for all."

Similarly, Widefield Elementary School of Arts has a physical wall installed in an outdoor classroom, giving students access during recess. This provides them with extra exposure to hands-on learning outside of instructional time.

"It's cool to watch them figure things out and problem-solve so naturally," said Ian Schimmel, Assistant Principal at WESA.. He added that the wall "integrates a lot of other STEM subjects for different grade levels—for example, angles, forces, and motion."

Makerspaces in Middle and High School

At Grand Mountain Middle School, librarian Stephanie Smith teaches a STEM class in the Makerspace. Students recently learned about the four forces of flight. They first applied these concepts by designing and testing paper airplanes before using new flight simulators to put their knowledge to the test.

"Having this technology available gives them choices, which ignites their curiosity and allows them to explore what they really want to be," Smith explained.

At Widefield High School, librarian Amy Hawkins-Keeler is teaching students about additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. Students design their own creations and then print them, gaining hands-on experience with real-world applications.

Hawkins-Keeler emphasizes the value of learning from mistakes. "Sometimes things don't go as well as we thought, and it's hard when kids fail, but through our failures, we come out with great successes," she said.

Makerspaces for the Community

The Makerspace initiative also extends to the Security Public Library, where community members can participate in workshops led by library staff. Children’s Manager Molly Uffelman recently led a workshop where patrons used a Cricut machine to design travel coffee mugs.

Community member Jill, a regular at the library, shared her enthusiasm for the program. "I'm in four book clubs, and I love these workshops," she said, noting she's also done knitting, crochet, and 3D printing classes. "It’s great that these workshops are offered for free or at a low cost. I have fun and learn something new."

Reference Librarian Sam Lacy explained that the Makerspace has two different options for public use: Workshop Hours, where patrons can get one-on-one help from a librarian, and Structured Classes with a specific project chosen by library staff.

"It is really cool to see how people get excited about the real-world applications of these little gadgets," Lacy said.