Our Mission & Vision

Overview

The UpCycle Center is a non-digital, permanent "maker space" to be housed in the Whisconier Middle School Library. It will serve as an extension of our school’s "Unplugged" initiative, providing a sanctuary for tactile learning, creative problem-solving, and face-to-face, non-digital social interaction. Our goals are:

• To foster hands-on skills that promote mental well-being and focus.

• To teach sustainability by transforming discarded materials into functional art.

• To bridge the gap between classroom theory or content and physical application.

• To shift the focus of crafting to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and intergenerational mentorship.

• To support innovation by "looking back" to traditional skills and repurposing waste, offering a unique educational experience that prioritizes human connection and manual dexterity over screen-based consumption or output.

Community Impact

While the center is located in the middle school, its impact radiates across the Brookfield community:

• Students: Direct access during class for assigned projects and ELT to develop fine motor skills and creative confidence.

• Community Mentors: Local artisans, retirees, and hobbyists (the "experts") are invited to lead workshops, fostering intergenerational bonds and lifelong learning.

• Wider Community: By emphasizing "upcycling," we will host collection drives for materials (old textiles, magazines, leather scraps), involving Brookfield families in a circular economy of education.

Evaluation

We will measure success through three primary lenses:

• Quantitative: Tracking student participation rates via a "Maker Log" and counting the number of community-led workshops hosted per semester.

• Qualitative: "Reflection Tags" attached to finished projects where students describe one new skill they mastered.

• Skill Mastery: Tracking the issuance of "Maker Licenses" to students who demonstrate safe and proficient use of specialized tools.

Inspiration for the Center

The idea was prompted by the success of our "Unplugged" program. However, one hour a month is not necessarily sufficient. The Upcycle Center will extend the benefits of taking a break from digital devices by providing students new ways to engage their creative thinking while also continuing to build in-person community. By providing a permanent space dedicated to "upcycling," we can address both the need for student wellness and the educational necessity of environmental responsibility.