A Makerspace is a thinking playground that can incorporate activities such as robotics, construction, coding, and agriculture. While it is a fun and engaging area, the Makerspace also helps students grasp difficult concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students can imagine a design, create a prototype and redesign. By gathering information they have learned from “playing” in the Makerspace, they are able to generate more accurate predictions about the world around them.

STEM is woven throughout the Makerspace. As a part of the Sunnyside Learning Commons, a STEM Squad was educated to guide students within the Makerspace. Sunnyside Elementary School offered an afterschool program for forty students in grades one, two, three and four. These students serve as ambassadors to the Makerspace and guide students in their first encounters with the materials.

Funding through the CAS Flanagan Grant Program, Donors Choose and SEEF (Shelton Education Endowment Fund)