NORMAL, Ill. — Unit 5 students have new spaces to design, build and experiment with manufacturing software and equipment, giving them the tools to take their ideas from concept to creation.
The Unit 5 Educational Foundation donated more than $50,000 to fund new makerspaces at Normal West and Normal Community high schools. The spaces provide students access to tools, technology and equipment for hands-on learning with laser engravers and cutters, heat presses and sublimation, large-format printing and laminating, and 3D printing and additive manufacturing.
“We are proud to provide financial support that drives this kind of impact for Unit 5,” said Unit 5 Educational Foundation President Jeff Mavros. “We are grateful to our donors, supporters, and community members for believing in our mission and making a real difference in the lives of our students and teachers.”
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Students and staff will demonstrate some of the equipment and share how the space will be used in the classroom during an unveiling at Normal West Friday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m.
“They’re learning teamwork, brainstorming, going through the design process,” Normal West technology teacher Brock Keller said. “We’ve had our mock-up scrum meetings, so they’re really getting kind of a taste of what it would be like to be a real technology professional or an expert.”
The Foundation has already committed more than $70,000 for next year to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) opportunities in Unit 5 elementary schools. It is also providing $15,000 to launch a new classroom grant program this year.
In total, the Unit 5 Educational Foundation has donated more than $200,000 to the district.
“The Educational Foundation continues to provide opportunities for our students that go above and beyond what we could do with district resources alone,” said Unit 5 Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle. “We appreciate their continued support of our students and staff and their willingness to invest in new opportunities across the district.”
The new makerspace at Normal Community High School will be showcased at a later date.
“It comes down to learning project management and learning how to use software to make their ideas come to life here in the makerspace,” said Normal Community technology teacher Matt Emberson.
The Unit 5 Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports programs and opportunities for Unit 5 students and staff. To learn more or make a donation, visit www.unit5.org/foundation.
