Sauk Prairie High School Library features new Makerspace

The Star News happened to be in the newly redone Sauk Prairie High School LMC (Library Media Center) about a month ago, and Library Media Specialist Stephanie Judge was excited to talk about the new Makerspace. She explained: “At the Sauk Prairie High School, the new Makerspace was intentionally located in the recently renovated Library.  The Sauk Prairie High School Library is considered a central space that supports the broad range of curriculum taught at the school, with every student having equal access to the Library and its many resources. A makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school designed with the intention of introducing the concept of STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math into everyday learning.  It is typically equipped with a variety of tools and materials (high tech and low tech).   Examples may include 3D pens and printers, a Glowforge laser printer,  360 degree cameras, VR devices and iPads, cardboard, blocks and planks, Legos, 3D puzzles, string, tape, ribbons, etc.” She continued: “Teachers from any subject area are able to collaborate with [me] to design a lesson that integrates STEAM into student learning.  For example, a recent visit from each of the Spanish 3 courses had students using virtual reality headsets to take a tour of Madrid, Spain.   Students observed the many monuments, famous places and everyday people and then wrote reflections in Spanish, emphasizing newly learned vocabulary, as they used the technology.  Students may use low tech items as well.  Keva planks are a great way to incorporate design and creativity into, for example, an English classroom.  After reading a class novel, students can use these building blocks to explore the setting, characters, and conflict within the book.   With a Makerspace, students come with their own ideas and leave the space with some kind of product.”