Taylor Gibson, program director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hancock County, shows some summer campers a sign she created using a laser printer. Hands-on technology is part of a new STEAM learning lab installed at the club on Friday, July 7.
Shelley Swift | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — A new STEAM learning lab was installed at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hancock County on Friday, giving club members the chance to engage in hands-on learning.
The $50,000 lab was created by 1st Maker Space, a Fishers-based company led by a team of educators, engineers, designers and content experts who promote the learning concept of STEAM — which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
The 25-foot by 39-foot lab will enable students to do a variety of projects, from creating 3-D models to wiring electrical circuits. It features fun gadgets like a Cricut machine to cut out shapes and lettering and a hand-held Doodler to create 3-D drawings and writing, among many other tools.
Chantel Fowler, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hancock County, knew STEAM-based learning would be a big hit at the club, where members range in age from 5-18.
“We had individual STEAM kits at one point and they loved them, but we didn’t have enough. With this lab we can replenish what we need,” she said.
The club’s program manager, Taylor Gibson, spent four days last week with 1st Makers Space staff in Fishers learning hands-on how the lab can benefit kids.
She’s excited to see how club members will be able to use hands-on learning to expand their horizons.
“It’s really all about them using their creativity,” said Gibson. “I can tell them to make a cardboard dog, and that could be 50 feet long or as small as the palm of my hand. It’s all up to them.”
The lab is designed to adjust to whatever type of learning environment is needed on any particular day.
The lab features six work tables with numerous electric outlets which can be connected to overhead power outlets on the ceiling. Multi-purpose carts are equipped with an assortment of kits, tools and materials to create whatever children can dream of building.
“Everything’s on rollers, so we can move things wherever we want them to be,” said Fowler.
Even the seating is adjustable, with metal stools that magnetically attach to the underside of work tables for easy storage and mobility.
On Friday, Gibson introduced a few kids to the new space, showing them the many tools and kits they’ll be able to use.
“I want to build a rocket ship,” said one camper named Chris, who will be a fifth-grader at Mt. Comfort Elementary School next year.
Fowler said the STEAM learning lab caters to children’s various styles of learning.
“People tend to think of learning within a box, but we have 115 kids with 115 personalities and 115 learning styles. This provides a lot of different ways of learning so they can learn their own way,” she said.
“That should help them grow and have more confidence in themselves,” she said.
Gibson said hands-on learning can be especially beneficial for kids who struggle with traditional book learning.
“I once asked some kids to build their own beaver dam using dirt, sticks, rocks and water, and they got so excited when it worked,” she said. “You could see it on their faces, (their success) really made a change in those kids.”
Gibson said the STEAM lab can also spark new interests in kids, possibly leading them toward future careers.
The learning labs are becoming increasingly popular in libraries and schools, she said.
The local Boys & Girls Clubs lab was purchased with funding from two grant sources, including a Lilly Endowment grant. Fowler said left-over grant funding would enable the club to purchase a 3-D printer, laser printer and other equipment.
“We have a lot of space and can continue to grow,” she said.
