UC Makerspace empowers Greater Cincinnati's K-12 STEAM educators

“I have some experience with laser cutters already, but being able to use the advanced versions of them in the Makerspace was a real treat,” said Lewis, who received certifications in various tools during the Makers in Education program in June. “I gained a ton of experience including how to vacuum form, 3D model, 3D print and numerous other making methods. Even things that I thought I had a pretty good handle on, like Illustrator, I walked away with a much better understanding of the fundamentals.” 

The Makerspace, a state-of-the-art facility for makers and doers located inside the 1819 Innovation Hub, partnered with the Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative on the intensive for K-12 STEAM teachers at Cincinnati Public Schools and beyond. With a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, the initiative was an immersive experience, providing participants with the tools, resources and inspiration to incorporate more meaningful making into educational spaces across the region.

Educators submitted applications for the two-week summer intensive program. Collectively, the 19 participants attended 22 trainings and certifications, receiving a total of 1,013 contact hours contributing to their continuing education units. 

“We’re very proud of all the educators who joined us for this program, and we are excited for this group to bloom into a community of practice offering support and knowledge within the Cincinnati community of maker-educators,” said Lucy Weaver, coordinator of unit operations for the Makerspace.

Identifying the potential of “History in the Making,” an immersive educational space within the CMC, Lewis plans to create innovative training opportunities for the museum's staff members. These programs would help staff build additional skills and knowledge to create richer educational experiences that will inspire students and other visitors to embark on their own creative journeys.

By forging this connection between the skills he’s learned at the Makerspace and educating others, Lewis also aims to ignite a spark for additional creative endeavors. His motivation is BLINK 2024, a light and projection-mapping festival in Downtown Cincinnati. Using laser cutting tools and incorporating materials like cardboard, Lewis worked on a prototype of a firefly. His goal: to create a parade-worthy firefly that lights up and that he and his coworkers could make 100 models of in a relatively small amount of time.

"What I learned in the Makerspace inspired confidence and competence,” he said. “Working from the start of a project, failing, iterating, learning new skills and finally reaching a point where you have a tangible object that you made and are hopefully happy with, it's an empowering experience, and it's certainly one that I wish I had when I was in school. The firefly turned out pretty well.”

In addition to tool certifications such as laser cutting and 3D printing, participants received six weeks of free access to the Makerspace.   

Ben Jones, Makerspace director, said his team is seeking out more educational partnerships for the future. In the meantime, teachers and other community makers can explore Makerspace memberships and certification courses on their own. 

Featured image at top: Evan Lewis holds his laser cut firefly in the UC Ground Floor Makerspace. Photo/Diana M. Lara