As a result of being involved in our Innovation Lab transformation and traveling to San Antonio for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference in San Antonio, I stumbled across the fact that there is a Venture Lab Makerspace, an educational maker space created for students to build, make, and hack. I had a chance to connect with Mark Barnett, the founder of the space on the Friday afternoon before the ISTE Conference.

This space, which has been open for a few short weeks,  is located in Art Space San Antonio (445 N. Main Street – a short walk from the conference center). Next week, it will be open from 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. From 9:00 – 3:00, Mark will be conducting workshops with students and then will be available  in the space from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. to field questions and explain the awesome programs he is developing. Chatting with him today, he shared about his 3d design projects that he did, robotics projects, circuit projects, and designing game controllers using cardboard and copper tape. Being a part of the Art Space Gallery, there is a focus to incorporate art into the makerspace and Mark, a former educator, is making sure that all programs are providing opportunities for young women to become involved. Next week’s workshop is focused on young women.

 

If you are interested in STEM or STEAM initiatives at your school, it will be worth an hour or two visit to the space to check it out. Probably more so than sitting in a 50 minute sit-and-get session. So get up, walk over, and learn about some of the new, exciting, education spaces.