Makerspace, located inside the library at Manhattan High School, provides cutting edge technology for people to invent and learn new skills. The workshop allows students and teachers to get their hands on tools that they might not be able to afford on their own.
“Here at Makerspace, if you can think of it, you can make it,” senior teacher’s assistant Levi Malcom said.
You will usually find students walking to the workshop during FlexTime, where they diligently work away on their personal projects.
“My most favorite project I made was when I created a chess board,” Malcolm said. “It took two years, 100 pencils, and more than five pounds of resin to finish it. I’m really proud of myself for doing it.”
Makerspace was first established three years ago, when some of the faculty and members of the IT department started to see the rise in 3D printer usage in other high schools.
“3D printers were first getting introduced over at the CAD classes,” Malcolm said. “This new tech got us really excited. And it was like ‘Hey, after seeing the success of the CAD classes, maybe we could have it available for kids, for everybody, right?’”
It started out with just a couple 3D printers, but Makerspace had received multiple grants to buy more technology like T-shirt presses and laser cutters. With limited resources in some classrooms, Makerspace became the place to solve technical or creative problems.
“We don’t just help students. We help teachers as well,” Malcolm said. “We’ve made a couple of posters for them. One time, we made a teacher a chess set because they were missing one of their games…And right now, I’m making a board game right now for a project I have in one of my classes.”
Makerspace is continuing to bring in more equipment for the students. This year, they are expecting to receive some newer Bambu printers and a sublimation printer, which are capable of producing vibrant, high-resolution images. But what the people at Makerspace want most is for students to express their creative talent at the workshop.
“Anybody is welcome to come in,” senior teacher’s assistant Colin Casebeer said. “After we teach you how to use the equipment, you are free to create anything you can imagine.”