The Travis Early College High School makerspace will debut in the fall of 2016 and is a space for the entire Austin community. Students, parents, and community members will utilize the area for collaboration and as a space to create solutions for local and global problems. The space is physically located between the school’s new commercial photography studio and new engineering shop, so it will be used heavily by those two STEAM programs as well.
Makerspace construction is underway at William B. Travis
Meet the Makers at William B. Travis Early College High School
July Update
1. How is your vision for a makerspace innovative?
One of the greatest aspects of our process is the community involvement in planning, use, and sustainability. Local businesses and education partners such as Hilton Austin, Uteach Austin, and Science in a Suitcase have been incredible donors and advisors. The makerspace will serve as a model of the vision of our forward thinking faculty and students and will truly embody our strong sense of community. We see the makerspace as an example of our vision of education reform for 2050.
2. What are you most excited to get started on this summer?
We are most excited about having staff and students begin create project-based learning and interdisciplinary lessons to complete in the makerspace. We are also excited about the completion of the space so that we can invite community members onto the campus to not only visibly see the space, but to discuss how we as a community can work on issues that affect all of us in the Travis ECHS area.
August Update
3. Can you describe the people who have been involved in your build out?
Construction, district personnel, students, parents, community members, business partners, staff and administration have been involved in our build out.
4. What has been the most challenging part of the summer build out thus far?
Completing the construction before kids arrive and creating a space that in conducive to learning for all students has been the most challenging part of the summer build out.
5. Have you made adjustments to your original plan since starting your build out? If so, can you describe how you have changed your plan and what sparked the change?
The only real change is getting more student voice since school has started and that we have created a makerspace advisory group.
Learn More About William B. Travis Early College High School’s Makerspace
William B. Travis Early College High School Makerspace Design