YOUTH OPPORTUNITY
Seven-year-old Elisa could barely contain her excitement as she explored the brand-new Bennett Elementary School Makerspace. While playing with a balloon, little robots buzzing around a nearby table caught her attention and she sat down to investigate.
“It’ll follow that line, too,” said Elisa, pointing at a balloon string she drew on her paper. “I’ve never used a robot before— can I take it home?”
After guiding the robot around three balloon drawings, Elisa noticed a buzzing 3-D printer across the room. She got closer to watch the machine work and found a 3-D printed dinosaur head.
“I want to make a blue dinosaur head on a pink body with green legs and then a yellow tail,” said Elisa, noticing the multi-colored filament above the printer that brings the designs to life.
Makerspaces encourage students to explore new technology and build interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). The Bennett Elementary School Makerspace is the first United Way for Southeastern Michigan Makerspace in Detroit, and the third Makerspace built with funding from EY.
“We’re so incredibly excited about this third and final makerspace we funded; it’s actually our EY professionals that made the choice to fund these makerspaces,” said Clare Willet, partner at EY. “When I first met Principal V. and I got this tour, I could feel the energy, the excitement, and I truly believe we are really having a significant ripple effect here.”
MORE THAN A MAKERSPACE
When Principal Melissa Villareal heard about the opportunity to create a Makerspace, she immediately began thinking about how to make it more than just a room students visit on occasion.
“When the email came to me about this wonderful opportunity, at first, I thought, ‘This is too good to be true’,” said Melissa. “Then I thought, what can we do at Bennett to make sure our 524 students can use this space to its fullest potential?
“I asked our Mrs. Carter if she’d be willing to teach a STEM class, and I barely finished asking her when she said, “Yes!’”
While some Makerspaces added staff members after their launch, this is the first time that one will have a full-time instructor in the classroom from the beginning to help students understand and access all the tools and equipment.
“The Makerspace gives our students another level of exposure and opportunity to thrive in this community and in their careers,” said Vanessa Carter, STEM teacher at Bennett Elementary School. “We’ve already started doing STEM challenges in the classroom, but the Makerspace will take it up a level where they can really dive in deeper.”
SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS
The former classroom was transformed into a Makerspace by 58 volunteers from Stellantis, Rockford Construction, Ally, Alfa Systems, Women United, Tech United and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Volunteers joined at the grand opening to help introduce students to the new materials.
“Watching the kids and seeing their creativity is so cool,” said Krystal Davis, volunteer and team lead at Rocket. “I was at the craft station, and this little girl used the wooden house bricks to make a purse.
“As an adult, I would have never thought of that, but she was a kindergartner and to see her put her mind to work and create that was so cool.”
Studies show that children who engage in scientific activities from an early age develop positive attitudes toward science, which also correlates with later science achievement and higher rates of pursuing STEM expertise and careers.
“These makerspaces open up their minds to so many opportunities,” said Levi Stubbs III, managing partner of The Trey Group and member of Tech United. “You’re looking at our future engineers, teachers and astronauts — who knows what these makerspaces will create, but it will be something positive.”
“And it will leave not just a positive impact on them, but on the communities that they serve.”
Inspired to get involved? Donate today, or find a volunteer opportunity on our portal.
