The Brookfield Local School District Maker Space was conceived by Toby Gibson in 2017.  While serving the district as Middle School Principal, Mr. Gibson approached George P. Lesnansky, Jr. (Computer and Technology Teacher) with his ideas.  Mr. Gibson assembled a team of teachers and administrators and together they traveled to several sites that held equipment and functioned as a design and manufacturing facilities.  Knowing that the cost was prohibitive, Mr. Gibson sought sources of external funding which would allow the project to launch.  Over the next several years, the Brookfield Local Schools were the recipient of multiple grants and donations which allowed for the opening and the growth of our Maker Space as it stands today.  

A brief timeline of the History of the Maker Space is posted below:

August 2011 

The NEW K-12 Brookfield School Building is dedicated.

August 2016 

The Lulzbot TAZ5 3D Printer is delivered and built in Room 408.

February 2018

The General Electric Grant is awarded which funds the Monoprice 3D Printer.

January 2018

The Strimbu Foundation Grant is awarded.  The Shenhui 50W Laser Engraver/Cutter and the XYZJr. Pro 3D Printer is delivered and installed in Room 408A.

October 2019

The Arconic Grant is awarded and provides $60,000 for the purpose of creating a Maker Space.

January 2020

The Maker Space opens in Room 408A.  It features a Vinyl Printer/Cutter, a laser engraver/cutter, 3D printers, a CNC Milling Machine and a 3D Scanner.

February 2021

Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous community member, the Maker Space adds a Cricut Maker and a Brother LB 5000 Embroidery Machine to the collection.

August 2021

The Maker Space (2.0) expands to Room 408 in addition to 408A.

February 2022

Plans are announced to move the expanding Maker Space to the Library Media Center.

March 2022

The Brookfield Local Schools receive the IWIP Grant (1.7 million dollars).

May 2022

America Makes partners with the Brookfield Local Schools and provides curricular support and a Matter Hackers Pulse 3D Printer.

August 2022

The New Maker Space (3.0) opens in the Library Media Center (Rooms 238, 238A, 145).  We unveil a new Plasma Arc Cutter.

August 2022

The Robotics lab opens in the front of the Library Media Center using the funds from the IWIP Grant.

September 2022

The Plasma Arc Cutter becomes fully functional.

October 2022

America Makes delivers the Matter Hackers Pulse 3D Printer.

April 2023

Using remaining funds from the IWIP Grant, a new Ultimaker S5 is delivered and installed.

May 2023

Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, Jon Husted,  visits the Brookfield Local Schools.

June 2023

The Mahoning County Educational Service Center receives a grant that funds a new Resin 3D Printer.