This is not your grandparents’ school shop class. It’s a convergence of traditional tools and new technology, all with the purpose of promoting science, technology, engineering and math. It’s the new makerspace at
“It’s kind of the direction our standards are going,” explained Principal Paige Wright, “wanting students to not only learn knowledge but be able to apply it.”
Seventh grade science and math teacher Donna Widner enthusiastically began with safety and procedure training sessions for students. She listed rules on the white board for using tools. She pointed out the need for safety glasses and did some demonstrating. Then she let the students begin to explore the room.
ORMS now has three new 3-D printers, plus multiple sets of tools and supplies for students to use.
Widner said class projects will eventually include designing and building a biomedical device. “That is where the…
