Maker Environments

Nearly three years ago, our district challenged us to develop four unique maker learning environments within our secondary schools and we set out with a goal of creating collaborative learning spaces that promote creativity, collaboration, and communication in a maker-based environment. Once the spaces were primed, painted, and prepped we allowed the spaces to take on their own unique personalities based on the interests and needs of the students who use those spaces. Each space has continued to evolve into a collaborative, exploratory learning space that allows students explore new ideas/opportunities in these environments.

As our four spaces continue to adapt and evolve, we have launched 10 additional mini-maker environments within each of our 10 elementary school libraries. Our Library Media Specialists have begun to roll out maker/STEAM activities for all students on a regular basis where students are able to explore, create, and collaborate.

You can checking out what's happening at our junior high schools by clicking the links below.

Van Wyck Innovation Center - The Van Wyck Innovation Center was opened during the 2015-16 school year. It has grown as a Maker Environment with the use of both low and high tech materials. It includes a full recording studio with green screen, and is the home of our student- driven weekly news program, Van Wyck Morning News. STEAM activities and challenges, as well as community-minded work prevail in this very diverse and inclusive space.

WJHS Library Learning Lab (L3) - Our staff at Wappingers Jr. has built a website highlighting all the projects the students have been creating throughout the school year. It includes a little bit of everything from creating and building to exploring and investigating. Definitely worth checking out!