3 minute read
Makerspace Magic
By Sean Maillet
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The renovations to McLaughlin Hall wrapped up more than a year ago, yet the sounds of drills, saws, and hammers can still be heard in the new state-of-the-art makerspace. The twostorey workshop has quickly become the go-to spot on campus for creativity and innovation, where students’ ideas come to life.
The main floor is a spacious place of collaboration outfitted with workbenches, power tools, and the popular 3D printers. The second floor, overlooking the lower level, is another work area complete with whiteboards and a laser cutter.
Leading the charge in the makerspace is Meera Balendran, the school’s first Maker Educator Specialist. Meera says she’s excited to be working at an all-boys school and teaching students about tools and engineering, a traditionally male-dominated industry. “I want these boys to challenge stereotypes the world has for women and see the benefits of collaborating in diversified groups. The more diversity we have in these industries, the more perspectives we gain.”
“Ms B,” as the students commonly refer to her, employs a handson approach as the students get comfortable with the equipment. “Since most of the equipment in the space is fairly new, this year has been all about experimenting with all the tools and testing their capabilities,” says Meera.
During the day, the makerspace is mainly used for class collaborations as teachers bring students in for subjectspecific projects. Middle School lessons range from 3D printing a scale model of a St. Andrew’s school building to designing laser-cut aliens for a unit on space.
In most instances, failing is something to avoid at school. However, Meera believes the workshop provides a space where you can fail fast and fail often.
Owen Ramon ’27, says his favourite piece of equipment is the 3D printer. “I like how it’s such a different element. You have to think in a whole new dimension and really challenge yourself to create the thing you’re imagining,” says the Grade 7 student.
Keegan Cahill, a Middle School teacher, enjoys how the high-tech facility propels teachers to think outside the box in terms of how they can translate a lesson typically taught in a classroom to the makerspace.
“The simple presentation of a novel study has now been adapted into a 3D shadow box using laser cutting, allowing the students to pinpoint the most impactful moments in a story and create a visual diagram,” Keegan explains.
There is no limit to the complexity of designs in the Upper School. Henry Paluch ’22, Head Prefect, made a telescope for his computer engineering class. “He had a crazy set up in the makerspace with a series of large mirrors. I was so impressed by how well it worked,” Meera says.
The school’s two robotics teams now call the makerspace home as it is capable of hosting competitions such as VEX Robotics and RoboCup. In March, the Robotics teams received an unexpected but welcome lastminute invitation to the VEX Robotics Provincial Championship in Ottawa, Ont. The teams essentially lived in the makerspace on the weekends as they went from nothing completed to a pair of functional robots within two weeks.
In the evenings, the space is often used for Open Make sessions. Once students are trained on the equipment, they feel comfortable dropping in after school to explore and create at their own pace.
Meera envisions the makerspace as everchanging and growing, a place that empowers students to take ownership by running their own sessions and helping their peers. “It is destined to become a hub for collaboration and innovation for the greater Andrean community.” X
Opposite page: Meera Balendran with Surena Zadhoush ’28, Jibraan Siddiqui ’27, and Darius Abdulla ’28
