November 2022
New Matt's Maker Space
Project Assistant!
Matt's Maker Space is welcoming a new project assistant to our team! As we expand and open more maker spaces, our team continues to grow. Here is a little bit about our newest member.
Safiya Bainazar : I am a student at Carnegie Mellon University studying Mechanical Engineering. I'm originally from Ohio and grew a passion for STEM and STEM education while being a part of my high school robotics team. I am a firm believer in learning by doing, so I am very excited to take part in spreading that mission as a part of Matt's Maker Space.
Maker News
New Printers at Mellon Middle School

Mellon Middle School recently received two Snapmaker 3D Printers which allow printing, laser engraving and carving. They also received
a VersaSTUDIO B-12 printer. This printer allows printing directly onto onto cotton t-shirts, apparel, tote bags and other products in minutes from the comfort of your desktop.

With the addition of these printers, Mr. Mikesell and Mrs. Amenta are anticipating students being able to create items that will be sold in their school store. The students are very excited about these projects. They have added dremel pens, a cordless circular saw, two new drills, a couple of sets of screwdrivers and are piloting the new Lego Mindstorms Robot. 

So far, the students have been introduced to the following:

  1. Engineering Design Process
  2. Engineering challenges such as lift and carrier with constraints (7th graders)
  3. Engineering challenges such as vertical and horizontal structures with constraints (7th graders)
  4. Rubber Band Racers (Enrichment group)
  5. Edison robots and coding (8th graders)

The students seem to really be enjoying the classes!! We are thrilled to be able to support our maker spaces with new equipment!
Grand Openings

Maker Space #31 & #32: Albert Gallatin North and South Middle Schools

Albert Gallatin North and South Middle Schools were proud to announce the opening of their Matt's Maker Spaces on Monday, August 29. The Ribbon cutting ceremony began at 11 am and was followed by a light lunch and an opportunity to explore the spaces. These spaces are located in the middle schools in the Albert Gallatin School District. Their hope is to offer valuable workforce development skills to their students.
Maker Space #33: The Neighborhood Academy

On Monday, September 26, The Neighborhood Academy unveiled a new Matt’s Maker Space and celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The school is located in the Stanton Heights neighborhood in the City of Pittsburgh. The Neighborhood Academy, grades 6-12, is a private, independent, college-preparatory school that serves youth regardless of income.

Matt’s Maker Space is proud to partner with PPG, Inc. to integrate STEAM activities into the curriculum which will provide opportunities for students to create, collaborate and dream in a judgement-free zone as part of their education. It was a great experience working with Malesia Dunn from PPG to create this room that meets PPG's commitment to STEAM education! As usual, our design partner was the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and our favorite designer, Anne Fullenkamp!

Founded by Ms. Josephine B. Moore and Reverend Thomas E. Johnson, Jr., The Neighborhood Academy began as an innovative summer school program in 1992 for at-risk youth in Larimar. The school is now in its 22nd academic year. Designed to meet the needs of families who demonstrate financial need, its mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty by empowering youth and preparing them for college and citizenship. The school is dedicated to developing the minds, bodies, and spirits of students so they become fully productive members of society. To date, 100% of TNA graduates have been accepted to four-year colleges/universities, and alumni boast a 75% five-year college graduation rate, with 90% returning to the Pittsburgh workforce.

Welcome to the Matt's Maker Space family!
Up Next...

We are in the middle of planning our next Matt's Maker Space. This space is our first outside of Pennsylvania! We are proud to announce that we are building a Matt's Maker Space in partnership with the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh in the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital. Details will be in our next newsletter. Stay tuned!

Making the News
Amazing Maker Awards

The Amazing Maker Awards celebrate what makers do – for different reasons and in different areas of endeavor. The winners are an eclectic group of makers, just like what you’d see at a Maker Faire. What they have in common is that each one taps into a deep human urge to create and make real something that starts out as an idea. We are grateful that they shared their work with us. We truly believe in the power of sharing, which motivates others to create and make. 

Noelle Conover, founder of Matt's Maker Space received the first-ever Community Maker Award last month from Make: magazine.

Click here to read the article in the November issue of Make: magazine!

Announcements










Rube Goldberg Announcement

Stay tuned! Next month we will be announcing a very special event that is open to all of our maker space teachers and students! In conjunction with this year's Rube Goldberg competition, we will be sponsoring our own event!

Watch for the announcement coming soon!

Carnegie Mellon University Gelfand Center Classes

Matt's Maker Space partners with the Gelfand Center at CMU. The Gelfand Center offers classes for students in K-12. Check out their amazing classes!


Check out their fall brochure!
Matt's Maker Spaces for 2023
We are beginning to plan for our next Matt's Maker Spaces. Do you have a suggestion for a school who needs a maker space? Please send it to Noelleconover@gmail.com, along with some basic information about the school and why you think they deserve a maker space. we would love to hear from you!
Making Our Mission

Thanking Our Donors

Matt's Maker Space was the recent winner of the Community Maker Award from Make: Company. 
We are grateful for the very generous donation of $5000 that accompanied this award.
Matt's Maker Space is grateful to the Nancy C and Dale Dougherty Foundation who provided this award.
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