Real Impact Center of Macon, an organization dedicated to helping young ladies gain exposure and proficiency in STEM skills, offers a number of summer camp experiences and fun/engaging workshops through out the year. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the Real Impact team and students through SparkMacon makerspace. Our organizations believe that exposing young makers to powerful STEM skills and ideas and supporting them in their growth can change their lives. I am continually inspired by the work of Real Impact Center. They help remind me why we love supporting maker education in our makerspace.
Starting in May 2015, SparkMacon and Real Impact launched Project Renaissance, a pilot scholarship program designed to support students in their creativity and grow their skills as makers. In this one year program, students attend monthly workshops to become proficient in the following areas: coding, 3d modeling, 3d printing, laser cutting, electronics, arduino, robotics, video editing, and costume making. In the final months of the program, students will be challenged to design their own project utilizing their favorite aspects of the makerspace and then present that project to the maker community at one of our First Friday Open Make events. To help students and teachers achieve their project goals, all students and teachers receive full membership to SparkMacon makerspace giving them access to all of our educational programs, software, and tools. This scholarship program is made possible through the generous support of the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) and the Middle Georgia Regional Commission.
Corey teaches students about using the 3D printer.
First robotics program
Libby shares the joy of cosplay with Real Impact students
I have valued the opportunity to teach a few of the workshops including getting started with coding using Minecraft, TinkerCAD 3D modeling, and 3D printing. It has been fun to see how the girls have grown through these monthly workshops.
As mentioned before, our team is inspired by the efforts Real Impact and their team of volunteers. If you check out their website, you’ll see that they offer an impressive schedule of programming for their students. Some of their events range from weekend skill building workshops, demo sessions, summer camps, and more. Real Impact has also been hosting a FIRST robotics league club at SparkMacon. After talking to my friend Cathy, one of their volunteers, I have to say that I’m moved by the amount of time, effort, and love that goes into executing all of the events of Real Impact. Geneva West, the parents, and the team work very hard to serve their students.
From the last time I talked with them, they can probably use more volunteers to support their FIRST robotics program. Please consider volunteering for this awesome program. You can contact Real Impact here:
http://www.realimpactcenter.com/contact-us.html
Check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/realimpactcenter
If you’re interested in making a financial contribution to Real Impact Center, I know they will appreciate it. Check out the following link:
http://www.realimpactcenter.com/support-us.html
Real Impact Center… Thanks for the difference that you make in Macon!
