Our Story

How we started:

Vision. Partnership. Community.

In the spring of 2015, the School Improvement Council at the John F. Kennedy School identified an area in our educational focus that could be expanded upon: science! After many meetings with the committee, staff, and community members, Principal Mark Hurrie proposed the idea of a Makerspace to our Superintendent, Mary Skipper. Not only did Superintendent Skipper approve the idea, she provided us with the funds to get the initial Makerspace up and running for the 2015-2016 school year. The catch: get it up and running in 5 weeks!

Forming a sub-committee of dedicated Kennedy School leaders, teachers and parents, we set the wheel in motion to create a Makerspace in our already established Science Lab. Our neighbors at Lesley University were enlisted to guide us through this process in a newly formed partnership with the Lesley STEAM Program. Plans were made, funds were raised, and the pieces of the Makerspace were ordered. It was time to “make it work”!

The Kennedy School Makerspace and Innovation Lab was launched in conjunction with the Hour of Code on December 6, 2015! Mayor Curtatone, district leaders, parents, community members, and students all had an opportunity to experience the wonder of the Makerspace. Building 21st century skills through inquiry, collaboration, and exploration, the experiences that happen in this space allow all children to access the learning process in a meaningful and engaging way. We are thrilled to be able to provide this learning opportunity to our students.

The ball is rolling. We know that an object in motion stays in motion. We will continually be adding materials and learning experiences to our Makerspace, and to our website. Check back often to see what we are up to!