聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 The benefit of using one鈥檚 hands to make stuff is being impressed upon students of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute where a new 鈥渕aker space鈥� is being added to the school鈥檚 library.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Late last year Julie Gareau received funding of $2,500 from the Comprehensive School Community Health Initiative at the Good Spirit School Division in order to create the new maker space in the library.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e started with the maker space in the fall using cardboard,鈥� Gareau said last week, adding that the area will be filled with items and will grow to could include such tools as robotics and the use of a 3-D printer.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Basically it is a space for students to create, invent, build and problem solve, she said.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The funding was used to purchase a collection of initial products that can be the beginnings of a variety of construction, she said, adding that she purchased 88,000 鈥減erler beads,鈥� which are beads that can be placed together and then with added heat can become a work of art.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 She purchased large adult colouring pages which promote relaxation and focus, Lego blocks, K鈥橬ex building materials, jewelery supplies, Electric Snap Circuits and a paper cutter that can be used to cut designs from vinyl.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The maker space is a hands-on area for construction projects that can be made while a student can sit calmly, Gareau said. 鈥淚t is a place to get away from other things and be able to relax and focus while learning.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Although designed for students, Gareau admitted that several staff members have enjoyed using their hands to make things.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e plan on receiving a 3-D printer for the maker space,鈥� she said.
