GILROY, CA – On Monday, May 22, 2023, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) hosted a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Makerspace at the SCCOE South County Annex. The County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, joined the Inclusion Collaborative, Charmaine Warmenhoven, and local educators in the celebration.
The SCCOE Makerspace is a collaborative, hands-on learning environment where students and educators can explore and develop their creativity and critical thinking skills through making, designing, and tinkering with various materials and technologies.
“It is important to bring this state-of-the-art center to the Gilroy education community,” said Sandya Lopez, Director of the Inclusion Collaborative.
Inside the Makerspace, educators can create inclusive items to enhance their project-based learning lessons using materials such as 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking tools, and a heat press.
“Inclusion, innovation, creativity, and exploration are a few of the attributes attributed to a Makerspace and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be opening this opportunity in south county,” said County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan.
During the program recognition Charmaine Warmenhoven, Vice President of the Warmenhoven Family Foundation, was honored for her partnership with the Inclusion Collaborative and the SCCOE.
“Charmaine’s support over the past decade in enhancing the inclusion of children with and without disabilities in Santa Clara County has profoundly impacted the lives of countless individuals and families,” said Dr. Dewan.
The Makerspace Training Specialist, Gena Pacada, was recognized for her creativity and collaboration on Makerspace resources and activity offerings.
The recognitions were followed by a walkthrough of the Makerspace where guests participated in hands-on arts and crafts and visited the resource fair containing the SCCOE programs and community partners located in South County.
More information about the Makerspace can be found at http://www.inclusioncollaborative.org/makerspace.aspx.
Photos: https://sccoe.to/MakerspaceRibbonCutting
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.