Brooks and Region MAKERSPACE

As our world evolves our economies change rapidly –  new computer-based platforms, applications, products and services will do away with more traditional forms of employment, transportation and communication. We need to be innovative so that we, and future generations, are not economically left behind. As a result, our educational institutions are recommending that Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs start in elementary grades. In Alberta, this translates into extensive curriculums that integrate math and science with hands-on learning experiences and problem solving activities using technology. Thus, youth and young adults need a variety of education and employment opportunities and supports to prepare them for the future. These opportunities and supports often come in the form of out-of-school activities. Grasslands Regional FCSS’ Quality of Life Study (2014) and Newell Region Youth Community Action Plan (YCAP) (2016) found that these supports are lacking in the Newell Region. The latter study also identified that youth in the region suffer from stress, depression, anxiety, bullying, loneliness, etc., and providing out-of-school activities can alleviate these issues. The Brooks and County of Newell MakerSpace’s intention is to fill the gaps in the education and employment opportunities in the Region, while simultaneously addressing the mental health issues identified by our youth.

Youth will be prepared for the future through mentorship and skill-building.

A MakerSpace provides just that, a space for participants to make things. It follows a learn-by-doing model. The MakerSpace will pilot a variety of high-tech learning opportunities, programs, workshops, and competitions where youth can come together under one roof and integrate science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) with the real world. The ability for youth to acquire and apply their knowledge to real world circumstances under one roof with their peers and mentors builds comradery and motivation that can alleviate mental health issues they deal with on a daily basis.

MakerSpace programs, classes, workshops, etc. will run daily from 3pm to close.. As momentum builds more programming will be added throughout the week.

There is a substantial amount of research that links out-of-school programming and activities with decreased rates of depression, stress, anxiety, etc. When conducting their youth survey (which lead to YCAP), Grasslands Regional FCSS discovered links between a lack of youth out-of-school activities and stress, depression, anxiety, bullying, loneliness and other mental health issues. Given the amount of previous research conducted on these links, including a local example, a dedicated space for out-of-school activities, namely the Brooks and Region MAKERSPACE, is a means to solving these problems and will also contribute to an innovative economy for the Newell Region, preparing youth for future careers.

Ecces, J.S. and J. Templeton. 2002. Extracurricular and Other After-School Activities for Youth. Review of Research in Education 26: 113-180.

Fredricks, J.A. and J.S Eccles. 2008. Participation in Extracurricular Activities in the Middle School Years: Are There Developmental Benefits for African American and European American Youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 37:9 1029-1043