Creativity Commons at RecPlex

• 3D Printers & Scanners
• Laser Cutter/Engraver
• Sewing Machines
• Vinyl Printer/Cutter
• Digital Cameras
• Classes for all ages & skill levels

A community partnership between Washington Township RecPlex and Washington-Centerville Public Library

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On January 11, Washington Township and Washington-Centerville Public Library signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a makerspace to be located on the RecPlex campus, creating a hub for innovation, learning, and creativity. The space will function as both an educational center for STEAM activities, as well as an open digital fabrication and creation studio for the public.

“The Library has been supporting the maker movement for more than a decade through our maker programs and circulating maker kits,” said Patron Services Manager Bill Menker. “This partnership will provide the space we need to create a true studio-like makerspace with cutting edge equipment and technology not generally available in other venues.” Maker equipment planned for the space include a laser cutter/engraver, vinyl cutter, 3D printers, sewing machines, embroidery machine, soldering stations, dye sublimation printer, and more.

In addition to the open hours for people to use the equipment, the space will also be used for programming. Librarians and other experts will offer classes both low-tech and high-tech for patrons of all ages, skills, and interests to explore craftsmanship and gain access to new technologies. “This partnership with RecPlex allows for crossover opportunities with their afterschool programs, summer camps, and Enrichment Center,” said Menker. “We think it is a fantastic partnership opportunity and will be a tremendous resource for the community.”

The makerspace is expected to be open to the public sometime in the second quarter of this year. More details on the makerspace will be released as plans are finalized.

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A makerspace is a place where you can go to create. It is a place where people can enter with an idea and leave with a completed project. A makerspace is designed for hands-on learning and has tools to assist your creativity. Every makerspace is different, but you'll often find 3D printers, laser tools, sewing machines, hand tools, audio-visual equipment, and computers you can use to take your ideas and make them into fun designs and projects! Makerspaces are great places for people of all ages.

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Makerspaces are a hot topic in education and throughout the world. While not a new concept, makerspaces are gaining traction for the many benefits they provide students and adults. Makerspaces challenge participants to create and learn through hands-on, personalized experiences. Here are a few of the many benefits of makerspaces:

• Providing the opportunity to innovate: Makerspaces foster innovation through hands-on experimentation. Participants have the opportunity to be creative and apply personalized learning strategies to make changes to existing concepts or develop their own ideas, methods, or products.
• Creating real-world applications for classroom concepts: Hands-on learning takes the concepts taught through lecture, video, or textbooks and allows participants to move from an abstract concept to a real-world understanding. Participants are then able to practice creating solutions to real-world problems.
• Exposing students to new opportunities: Makerspaces provide the opportunity to learn something new, whether it is an alternative way to approach learning or utilizing new tools and resources to reach a solution.
• Building critical thinking and problem solving skills: Makerspaces enhance the ability to think critically and effectively problem solve. Makerspaces also hone creativity and teach how to solve issues, and although you may not first succeed, you learn something new every time you fail. It is also a lot of fun to create in a makerspace. Here participants can collaborate and help one another grow as a maker. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are fundamental to and enhanced by the learning experiences one has in a makerspace.
• Develop a wide range of 21st-century skills: 21st-century skills go beyond critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These essential skills include flexibility, collaboration, adaptability, oral and written communication, information literacy, technology literacy, productivity, social skills, leadership, initiative, and more. These in-demand skill sets help develop young minds for future success and enable adults to enhance the same skill sets.
• Learning from experience: When participants experiment, they test, evaluate, and modify the creative process. Patrons learn how to make failure a learning experience and not become discouraged or frustrated when something doesn't go as planned. In these cases, failure leads to adaptability, perserverance, and success. The amended creation is often better than the participant originally hoped their design could be.

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