On Thursday, May 4, students, staff and parents attended the grand opening of the new designated makerspace in the library at St. Matthew Catholic School.  The makerspace is an area where students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 can make things – a place for hand-on learning with access to tools, where students can explore their creativity.

“Our Makerspace lab offers students an available hub, where they can connect their learning, highlight their interests, express their creativity and have the freedom to learn through exploration and experimentation,” says Amanda Lambert, Grade 2/3 teacher at St. Matthew and the staff lead for the makerspace project.

Hundreds of people who attended the grand opening had the opportunity to participate in activities with students and celebrate the excitement and learning that is part of the makerspace experience.

“This new makerspace provides students an area where they are free to explore, create, invent, collaborate and learn through authentic experiences,” says Derek Morrison, Principal of St. Matthew Catholic School.  “Congratulations to Amanda Lambert and to Grade 7/8 teacher Amber Waltham, who helped to make it happen.”

Students using the makerspace have the opportunity to pursue their own interests during ‘free build time,’ as well as engage in learning challenges, which lead them to problem-solving tasks.