Makerspaces and Passion Projects utilized at GC-B

Cassie Habben, a combined first and second-grade teacher at Gilmore City-Bradgate Elementary School, wants the public to know her school is planning on being around a long time and a lot of great things are taking place at GC-B. Staff and administration at GC-B are embracing new project-based initiatives to prepare students for the challenging world that awaits. “A lot of people view small schools as waiting to die. That is not us at all," Habben said. A year ago the district, led by the leadership of school superintendent Jeff Herzberg and former principal Val Jergens, implemented Makerspaces into the classroom. It is a concept that allows students to explore, create and invent. When the current school year began last fall, Herzberg and new elementary principal Leslie Wenzel began the process of building from Makerspaces by implementing Passion Projects into the curriculum. Starting in January, Habben sets aside a pair of 30-minute periods to allow students to work on their passion projects. Everyone on staff has committed to one hour each week. “It is up to each teacher, to find an hour to fit it into their classroom," Wenzel said. To read more about the program and see what GC-B students are doing, read this week's Humboldt Independent. Subscribe to the print or digital editions by clicking on the link above.