A new, inventive makerspace dubbed Gator Commons at Gateway High School’s Library Media Center is becoming “a hub of creativity and innovation,” according to teacher Dawn Nicolazzo.
Equipped with a button maker, Cricut design space computer, sublimation station and printer, heat and die presses and other supplies and tools, students are permitted to use the equipment during study halls. Classes use the space and clubs also use the equipment to make T-shirts and buttons.
“A makerspace area is where students — and really, anyone — can go to make and create,” said Nicolazzo, a library media specialist. “We didn’t want to duplicate what our electives had, but rather expand, enhance and incorporate other tools as well.”
There is a Cricut Explore 3 — a web-based tool used to cut paper, card stock and vinyl — for making cards, T-shirts or wood designs. The 3D printer also is used for for science projects and engineering.
Donated by teacher Natalie Puhala, the Sizzix is a manual die-cutting machine. Because it’s easy to use, the Sizzix is recommended for beginning crafters.
Nicolazzo got the idea for the room after visiting Beaver Falls High School. She was fascinated by their setup and wanted to create a similar space at Gateway. She began meeting with Principal Justin Stephans to discuss the project.
“Once we had a clear idea of what we wanted, we invited the superintendents (Superintendent Guy Rossi and Assistant Superintendent Dennis Chakey) to see the space,” Nicolazzo said. “This has been two years of planning.”
“She’s done a wonderful job with this space,” Stephans said. “I can’t believe how great it is.”
Senior student Scarlett Davis plans to make buttons for the spring musical, “Once Upon a Mattress.” She is a student intern and helps show other students how to use the equipment.
“We had a big training session during study hall,” Davis said. “So we collectively learned how to use the equipment.”
Entire classes can reserve the space for class projects. Nicolazzo said the room has been great for Mark Spinola’s Teacher Academy, Tracy Ricciardi’s preschool class and Puhala’s Spanish and SPIES students — all of which use the space to prepare lessons, crafts and bulletin boards.
“It’s another way of enhancing the student experience,” Nicolazzo said, adding that about 30 students stop in daily.
Gator Commons is an alternative for those who need a break due feeling anxious or overwhelmed. And since using creative outlets requires concentration and repetitive movements, crafting has been known to promote mindfulness and reduce stress.
Nicolazzo gives credit to members at Protohaven, a nonprofit community makerspace in Wilkinsburg, for helping her design the area.
“They helped to show me what equipment teens use,” Nicolazzo said. “I thought, ‘How can we make this fit to our needs?’ and grew it from there.”
Nicolazzo said she is grateful for the support she’s received, as well as the startup budget from the district and community donations.
She is now seeking student and faculty input in order to grow the space and continue supporting classrooms.
To donate to Gator Commons, email at Dawn Nicolazzo at DNicolazzo@gatewayk12.org.
