The Geffen Academy at UCLA for years touted its state-of-the-art makerspace. But behind closed doors, the program was rife with safety violations that endangered the academy’s teenage pupils, according to students, faculty and public records.
Inspection reports obtained through the California Public Records Act reveal that, since 2018, the Geffen makerspace repeatedly violated multiple state and university safety regulations. Makerspace educators and school administrators ignored concerns about machinery and safety practices, according to public records and a former Geffen educator.
“The machinery was unsafe,” said the former Geffen teacher, who wished to remain anonymous out of concern for future employer retaliation. “If somebody had an accident with that, we’re probably talking about the loss of a digit.”
The Geffen Academy is an independent secondary…
