Mt. Diablo HS digital innovation class teams up with librarian to create school "makerspace"

Mt. Diablo HS Digital Innovation students and their teacher Susan Verharen proudly unveiled a new makerspace on Wednesday that they designed in the school library in collaboration with library media teacher Jean Malinasky. The interactive space includes maker stations such as a Lego "Brick Lab," art-focused "Papercraft Pavilion," crochet and macrame "Fabrication Station," and "Wordsmith Studio" where students can make bookmarks, journals and other literary-themed treasures. The space also includes a button machine and "Cricut" cuttiing machine that students can use to create buttons or other design projects such as stickers.

"Last spring Ms. Malinasky had a vision to create a space in the library where students could use their creativity in bookmaking, fine arts, fiber arts and constructing physical objects for enrichment, class projects, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) without the use of technology," said Verharen, whose seniors in the Career Technology Education (CTE) Technology Pathway took on the project as a work-based learning experience, with Malinasky as their "client." 

'The students used the design engineering process to ideate, research, define project’s goals and the deliverables to create the library makerspace while Ms. Malinasky provided feedback and approvals to keep with her vision," Verharen said. "The furniture layout was designed by the class using 2D vector drawing software. All marketing materials and signage was designed by the class using Canva. To add to the decor, our fine arts and multimedia student art is displayed on the walls." 

To tie the makerspace in with the school curriculum, the students and teachers created an 18-page google doc that lists projects by subject area. For example, science students can make paper roller coasters, history students can make replicas of historical artifacts and language arts students can make character dioramas. They are hoping teachers will visit with their classes to see all the options available, which also include making beaded bracelets, key chains, Ninja stars made of popsicle sticks and origami. The projects can give students a sense of accomplishment, help them remember what they learned in class, and provide a quiet activity that can help calm them down if they're feeling stressed.

The students who designed the makerspace said it was a challenging, but fun project and they are eager to teach other students how to use it. Board Vice President Cherise Khaund, who toured the space on Wednesday, was impressed. "I just love seeing the opportunity for student-led creativity and design that's accessible to students throughout the school," she said. The makerspace will be open to students during lunch, and for after school clubs with teacher supervision, Verharen said. Staff may also consider using the space for team-buiding activities. Malinasky said she believes the makerspace could be a model that other schools could replicate and she invites colleagues from throughout the District to come and visit.

More photos from the grand opening are here.