The Maker Gap: How Chicago Youth Centers' Maker Labs Bridge Gaps & Prepare Children for Success
Maker Faire Bay Area 2017
May 19th-21st
Many children in low-income communities lack access to maker spaces. Chicago Youth Centers’ STEAM Team shares how they bridged the “maker gap” and helped youth in their program see themselves as makers. They share how they built their first maker lab and give best practices for youth-led projects.
Steven Willis
Steven Willis develops and leads CYC’s STEM program. He brings his experience as part of the team that developed the Fab Lab, a hands-on maker space at the Museum of Science and Industry. There Stephen developed a program to introduce teens to the digital design process. Steven also teaches workshops on project-based learning and hands-on science experiments for the Illinois Afterschool Network.
Monica Wizgird
CYC’s Arts and Innovation Coordinator, Monica Wizgird, launched the CYC Arts Program in the fall of 2014. She studied fine art and art history at Grinnell College (BA Art History) and has trained in Project-Based Learning with Jim Bellanca of The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
http://www.monicawizgird.com
Tina Ayala
Tina Ayala is CYC’s Director of Programs & Operations—School Age and Teens. Previously, Tina served as Center Director of CYC-Fellowship House in Bridgeport for ten years. She oversees the management of CYC’s School Age and Teens including: development and delivery of all programs, Center budgets, employee management and training, and community outreach. Tina is a member of CYC’s STEAM Team.
