We’re pleased to announce a boost to our STEM Initiative at Dhammajarinee in the form of a grant from the consumer products company, SC Johnson.
This $44,000 grant helped the school transform an old storage shed into a gem of a “MakeHerSpace.” This space now allows students to develop a very wide range of 21st-century, in-demand skills through hands-on, creative projects.
The room—with state-of-the-art 3D printers, laser cutters, hand and power tools, high-quality donated Microsoft laptops, and monitors—was conceptualized and designed over the past months by leading international STEM expert, Dr. Stuart Kohlhagen. Dr. Kohlhagen arrived at the school in mid-October to complete the installation and then ran an intensive two-week training. During the program, students worked with power tools and laser cut artwork, created 3D maps of the campus, assembled portable music systems, and made a variety of 3D models. They were also introduced to a broad range of digital tools, animation, and used their newly developed CAD-CAM software and coding skills to create tangible products and robots.
Dr. Kohlhagen says of the MakeHerSpace, “The overarching objective for the new facility is to provide an opportunity for Dhammajarinee students to gain confidence in themselves as creative problem-solvers and to become lifelong learners and innovators. Educational experiences focusing heavily on direct instruction do little to strengthen the essential 21st-century skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, initiative-taking, and self-directed inquiry. These dispositions are in great demand across a range of careers and sectors, not only in the STEM domains, and the maker space at DWS will directly culture these skills.”
We aim to prepare our students for successful, fulfilling careers and self-sufficient futures. With almost every field today requiring digital literacy and a broad range of 21st-century skills, the MakeHerSpace will enable our students to develop these competencies in a real-world, engaging, and enjoyable way.
We are grateful to SC Johnson for this generous grant. We also extend heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Kohlhagen for his continued support—greatly raising the level of STEM education at Dhammajarinee and expanding the possibilities for our graduates.
Thank you, SC Johnson!
About SC Johnson Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin USA, SC Johnson believes that a more sustainable, healthier and transparent world that inspires people and creates opportunities isn't just possible – it's our responsibility. A heritage of innovation and bold, transparent decisions is why our high-quality products and iconic brands – including OFF!® Raid®, Glade®, Windex®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Ziploc®, Mrs. Meyers®, method®, Autan®, Baygon®, Mr Muscle®, Duck®, Lysoform® and more – are in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide. As a global, purpose-led company, we are committed to making the world a better place today and for future generations. That means relentlessly bringing our expertise in science, innovation and partnerships to bear on some of the world’s most pressing environmental and health issues like reducing plastic waste and eradicating malaria. Around the world, we use our resources to unlock greater economic and educational opportunities for people and communities where access may be limited, but curiosity and potential are limitless. See how SC Johnson is a Family Company At Work For a Better World by visiting scjohnson.com or joining us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
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