SAN ANGELO, TX – In an effort to bring the kids of Tom Green County closer to science, technology, engineering, art and math or STEAM, the Stephens Central Library will be hosting the grand opening of the STEAM Makerspace Central on March 23. This will be open to all library patrons who are interested in taking part in this new adventure.
Partnering with the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts the Makerspace is currently holding its Spring Break Camp in which 20 children get to participate and learn in the program.
In the morning portion of the day, the campers attend sessions in the museum that allow them to relate art to science and engineering. In the afternoon, they are able to explore different science aspects at the library. During this week, the children are able to learn about art and the rest of the disciplines in STEAM by taking part in numerous activities. The children were currently working on the set design and display of their own original plays.
“The Makerspace is a wonderful, new thing to come to San Angelo," said Tiffany Ellwanger, Family Programming & Studio Educator at SAMFA. "And [it] really showcases technology that is not otherwise available.”
She noted that the grand opening will be held on March 23 from 4 to 6 p.m., where library patrons will have the opportunity to see the various machines demonstrated and sign up for the classes that will be offered at Makerspace. Arts like quilting, crocheting, calligraphy and photography will be taught by local volunteers who have agreed to donate their time. A major aspect of the program is to “bring back dying arts that they can teach to other generations, Ellwanger said.
Items like spindles, laser cutters, a 3D printer, and a sewing and quilting machine will all be available for public use. Certification classes will also be available for the higher-tech equipment such as the 3D printer and laser cutter. A green screen wall equipped with a thing kit will also be available for public use.
All children must be accompanied by an adult and must sign a liability waiver on their first visit. On their second visit, children 14 and older will be allowed to access the equipment by themselves. There is also a space reserved for younger children where they can explore age appropriate crafts and learn about the STEAM disciplines.
“We are all about giving knowledge,” said Clint Hudson, Maker in Residence. “So what we are going to do is actually take that [experience] and gear it [to be] more hands on.”
There is no cost to use the equipment in the Makerspace area, but patrons must provide their own supplies when creating a project.
Anyone in the community interested in teaching a class can contact Clint Hudson at the Stephens Central Library for more details.
The Makerspace will be open from Tuesday through Saturday during the following times:
- Tuesday-Thursday: 12:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
- Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The space is open mainly during the afternoon to ensure that the majority of patrons, regardless of age, have access to all the technology in the room.
“We want everyone to be able to see it first hand and realize what this space is all about,” Hudson said.
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