MINGO JUNCTION — The media center at Indian Creek Middle School has gotten a makeover and is now being used as a makerspace for creativity.

Library coordinator Angela Penner said the facility still includes library books and seating for classes, but also gives students access to items ranging from 3D printers to media and robotics. The room includes two large interactive flat screens, a color laser printer and laminating machines for projects.

“The students are responsible for the staff spotlights and the children interview the teachers as part of a class project, and we also take care of the marketing and media education” Penner said. “We also changed the name of the Media Literacy class to STEM Multimedia Lab. »

She said the center also supplies VEX Robotics and the school acquired Dremel STEM machines and a heat press, while another heat press was donated by local businessman Shawn Villamagna of Riverview Tee Designs in Wellsburg. Penner said she worked with school administrators to develop the site over the summer to create a truly hands-on learning site for students.

“The idea was to get students engaged and I had a conversation with (principal) Holly Minch-Hick and (then assistant principal) Scott Abercrombie and they liked the idea. I previously worked at Indian Creek High School and WTOV-TV and was thinking about kids learning to use their creativity.

She also worked with educator David Guess to acquire machines while paraprofessional Carla Hirschfeld assisted in that effort, and Penner hopes to offer children more variety in related arts programs. Their first project was for the eighth graders to create designs for T-shirts and Villamagna created transfers with the top five choices selected by the student body. The students then put these designs on shirts. In another project, sixth and seventh graders highlighted teachers and staff members. Students also designed PowerPoint presentations on cybercrime in the digital age and how to protect yourself from incidents via apps and social media.

Penner was impressed with their creations and said the makerspace had a positive impact.

“Students live in the digital world and their innovative thinking is incredible. » she said. “I think the kids like it. It’s a learning curve for their future.

She noted that everyone worked hard and the program carried over into the Sycamore Center after-school program.

“Our school works with the after-school program and receives great support, and I know our teachers do a great job. » she continued.

The first class ended on November 1 and a new generation of students joined the class.