Science space offers a place to learn and tinker

FALLS VILLAGE — At the Jan. 5 meeting of the Region One Board of Education at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, HVRHS Assistant Principal Ian Strever reported that a “makerspace” is being created at the Mahoney-Hewat Science and Technology Center (STC) in what was originally designated as the media room.

Strever said the media use is still planned, but the idea is to also provide a space (and tools) for tinkering. (When the late Jack Mahoney was pushing for the science center, he frequently compared it to the artgarage as a place where students with a talent for tinkering could develop their ideas in a hands-on manner.)

The makerspace movement is a relatively recent phenomenon. The core definition of a “makerspace” is “a physical location where people gather to share resources and knowledge, work on projects, network and build,” according to an organization called Educause.

STC Director Nancy Hegy Martin fleshed out the idea in a phone interview Friday, Jan. 16.

“We’re just in the process of pulling it together,” she said. 

The STC has a 3D printer and a lot of materials from the robotics team on hand.

Rather than assembling an extensive wish list beforehand, Martin said the plan is get started with the materials on hand and get suggestions from students about what else would be useful.

There is also a plan to remove the wall between the STC and the artgarage on the other side, to encourage interaction between the two groups of students.

Martin said the makerspace will probably have a “soft launch” next month, with the facility available during study hall periods.

She said the STC needs mentors to help with staffing the makerspace.

She and Strever have gone to look at other schools with similar facilities. “The atmosphere at Wamogo was wonderful,” she said.

Martin said she hopes eventually students will be able to take online courses in computer and video game coding at the STC  — and then apply what they have learned on the spot.

“We want to create an environment kids want to hang out in, and just play.”