An educational foundation focused on the academic and personal success of K-12 students has partnership with a mid-Michigan retail entrepreneur to support STEAM education through a new maker space.
The private-public partnership between
Engaged Outreach and
tinkrLAB will provide kids and teens access to cutting-edge tools and opportunities through a new maker space called tinkrZONE. Located within the Meridian Mall, the new education center includes 3D printers, laser cutting machines, vinyl cutting machines, screen printing, and areas to learn about robotics and coding.
Students from
LifeTech Academy, a Michigan cyber school supported by Engaged Outreach, will regularly use the space to participate in hands-on education activities that build or strengthen interests in particular careers. Other schools and groups may also visit and use the tinkrZONE space.
"We're all about giving kids opportunities to learn about new tools and upcoming skills so they can be successful in the workforce when the graduate," says Matthew Anderson, director of Engaged Outreach. "The people at tinkrLAB are passionate about working with the community and business leaders to provide opportunities that might not be accessible in traditional schools."
Anderson explained that the tinkrLAB partnership is representative of Engaged Outreach's goal to increase graduation rates, develop youth leadership skills, and ready students for career and college. The organization is the nonprofit arm of the for-profit
Engaged Education: an educational consulting company founded in 2016 that specializes in curriculum design, management, professional development, and bridging the gap between the business and education sectors.
Source: Matthew Anderson, Director, Engaged Outreach
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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