ARE YOU KIDDING? “How do STEM Practitioners make the multitude of parts necessary for the dozens of Project-BasedLearning experiences that are to be shared with students? Wouldn’t it be great to have access to a wood shop and a machine shop and laser cutting and 3D printing capability and an NC router table and leaded/ stained glass tools and sewing machines and a Bridgeport mill and...and...?" “Come on! That would take access to an entire Makerspace - and I suppose you want to bring the students to this imaginary shop so that they get all the learning experiences such design and fabrication involves.” “Yes, in fact we need CAD and CAM capability as well, in hopes of capitalizing on the design side of such exposure.” “And just what do you mean by “STEM Practitioners”?” “You know, engineers and other STEM-experienced volunteers, working with the kids, instead of working in their own basement and then bringing the resulting hardware to the kids in a classroom. Project- Based-Learning should involve student participation at every level!” “OK, who wouldn’t get excited about such a program? Where are you going to find such a multifaceted workshop?” “It turns out that the Rochester Makerspace, located in the old Hickok Belt Building on St. Paul at Scrantom Street, is 18 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2020
feature article
