Jonathan Alder STEM Facilitator Emily Byers describes how a 3D printer works and the types of projects for which it can be used. The 3D printer is one of many tools, pictured alongside a CNC router and laser engraver, in the district’s new Amazon Web Services Think Big Space.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia)
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Jonathan Alder STEM Facilitator Emily Byers, at center, shows community members how to use an Osmo, a game that teaches children the basics of coding. Pictured, from left, are Jason Fatzinger with Amazon Web Services; Kerri Ferguson, owner of Main Street Treasures who was recently elected to Plain City Council and Linda Peters, with Main Street Treasures. The Osmo is one of many tools in Jonathan Alder’s new Amazon Web Services Think Big Space.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia)
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Jonathan Alder educators are encouraging their students to think big, with the help of Amazon.
Jonathan Alder Local Schools recently received a $100,000 donation from Amazon Web Services (AWS) to create a hands-on technology lab for its K-12 students and the community at large.
Teachers, parents, elected officials and Amazon representatives were at Jonathan Alder High School Tuesday for the grand opening of the district’s AWS Think Big Space. It is only the second such space in Ohio.
Superintendent Gary Chapman said the space, which has previously served as a family and consumer science classroom and science lab, will act as a “community incubator.”
The room is filled with equipment and technology that will help students bring their ideas to life.
It includes a 3D printer, which can be used to create models; a vinyl printer and cutter, Cricut and Direct-to-Garment printer, which are used to create stickers, murals and garments; A CNC router that will be used to build objects and a laser engraver to engrave and cut objects.
Virtual and augmented reality can be explored with zSpace and broadcasts can be created with the AVRover.
Programs in the space will focus on coding; robotics; IoT (Internet of Things), which are objects embedded with sensors or software that can connect and share data; media; augmented and artificial intelligence; cloud computing; technology and Amazon Web Services.
Wilberte Paul, Community Engagement Manager for AWS, said the Think Big Space is designed to develop a spirit of innovation among students and encourage them to become involved with the STEM and STEAM fields.
Assistant Superintendent Misty Swanger said representatives from Amazon first contacted the district in July 2020 about creating a Think Big Space at JA.
She said the company indicated it was looking for schools in Central Ohio to partner with, though she is not sure exactly why Jonathan Alder was selected or the criteria Amazon used.
“It was almost like a cold call,” Swanger said.
After several months of discussions, in December 2020 Amazon requested a proposal from JA surrounding how the donation would be used. In January, it was accepted.
The company donated $100,000 to the Jonathan Alder Community Support Foundation, which distributes the funding to the school district.
From there, Swanger said a team from the district and representatives from Amazon worked together, “sharing ideas,” to determine exactly how the Think Big Space would take shape.
Swanger said she visited Hilliard City Schools, the location of the first Think Big Space in Ohio; Otterbein University, which has a similar “maker space;” and a school district in Virginia with another Amazon space.
While each provided inspiration, Swanger said “ours is a little bit different” because of the target audience.
Hilliard’s space is geared toward middle schoolers, Otterbein’s focuses on college-aged students and the Virginia Think Big Space is in an elementary school.
Jonathan Alder’s, though, is intended to serve everyone from kindergartners to adults.
For that reason, Swanger said the equipment in JA’s Think Big Space is intended to allow users to progressively build upon skills.
For instance, she said tools younger students will use for cutting and building with cardboard are a precursor to 3D printers or laser engravers they will use in the future.
The space will first be available to students then will eventually open to community members.
STEM facilitator Emily Byers, whose position was created as a requirement of the Amazon donation, said the Think Big Space will foster curiosity and allow children to explore ideas.
She said hands-on learning is crucial in encouraging students to explore the STEM field.
For kindergarten through eighth grade students, she said the Think Big Space will be used to integrate Ohio learning standards into their curriculum.
Byers said the technology and tools will be used for new pathways for ninth through twelfth graders that align with a need for career education and workforce development.
Ultimately, she said she is looking forward to giving students the opportunity to bring their imaginations to life.
“I’m so excited for them to be able to put their ideas in their hands,” she said.
Swanger echoed her sentiments.
“When you see them in the space, they just get immersed,” she said.
Swanger said there is not currently a timeline, but she anticipates the Think Big Space will have “open STEM hours” during which community members can use the space. She said using the space will be free but they may have to pay for the cost of materials, depending on what they create.
Though “nothing is guaranteed,” Swanger said she expects Jonathan Alder’s partnership with Amazon to be an ongoing relationship. She said Amazon has given repeat donations to several districts that already have Think Big Spaces.
“It’s not meant to be a one and done,” she said.