​Do you know what a Makerspace is? It is a collaborative work space within a school for making, learning, exploring and sharing while using high-tech or non-tech tools. At Centreville Community School, a large Makerspace classroom is being enjoyed by students during several hands-on, creative learning activities. 

"We are committed to providing integrated learning experiences and projects for our students that will help build critical thinking, problem solving and resiliency skills within the educational learning outcomes," said Vice-Principal Chris Sparrow. "A Makerspace approach promotes and enhances student engagement, empowerment and personalized learning, It inspires inquiry, play, imagination, and innovation."

Teacher Angela Debertin-Graham initiated the Makerspace approach at Centreville Community School with the support of school staff, the Anglophone West School District, tech experts from the non-profit organization Brilliant Labs, and other private sector partners. The Makerspace classroom is a place where students can go to learn by doing, while working on construction projects or sharing technology tools. Learners may engage in handmade projects or be exposed to technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, coding, and electronics. All of these learning experiences extend the students' capabilities, boost confidence, and reinforce cross-curricular activities in literacy, numeracy, science, engineering, technology and the arts. 

At the core of the Makerspace mindset is creating something out of nothing and exploring your own interests. Students spending time in Makerspace at Centreville Community School are beginning to dream, imagine, explore, tinker, build, innovate and learn.   

Shown in the photos below are (standing) Willie Appleby, Bree Graham and Arianna White; and (seated) Arianna White, Jacob Lingley of Brillant Labs, Addie Thomas and Gavn White in the Makespace classroom.