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Home My WebLink AboutCAO-16-003 - THEMUSEUM Maker Space REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: Monday, April 11, 2016 SUBMITTED BY: Brian Bennett, Manager Business Development, 519-741-2200 Ext. 7230 PREPARED BY: Valerie Bradford, Business Development Officer,519-741-2200 Ext.7367 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: Monday,March 21, 2106 REPORT NO.: CAO-16-003 SUBJECT:Support for The Underground Studio project at THEMUSEUM ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That the City of Kitchener allocate $50,000 from the Kitchener Economic Development Reserve Fund in support of The Underground Studio MakerSpace project at THEMUSEUM. BACKGROUND: Internationally-recognized startup ecosystems are dedicating resources to develop and grow their maker communities. Notable examples include San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, Cambridge, and closer to home, Toronto. The development of a continuum of makerspace supports an innovative economy through talent development, creative experimentation and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This includes spaces that contain a variety of tool types (e.g., industrial tools, electronics, crafts/sewing) and serve makers at different stages in their personal development. Access to makerspace for youth is increasingly recognized as a critical stage in the development of a maker as it encourages young people to adopt a creative problem-solving mindset. Cities like Eindhoven have hackerspace dedicated exclusively to children.Youth makerspace promotes skill development that translates into talented workers in critical industries in the Waterloo Region economy, specifically manufacturing and technology. Makerspaces play an important role in workforce development. Research indicates that if young unlikely to develop these skills later. Lack of access to tools and training discourages young adults from pursuing careers in related industries, resulting in labour shortages in many skilled trades. In particular, this is negatively impacting the ability of the local manufacturing sector to access a suitably-trained workforce to fill their increasingly advanced skill requirements. 2019 economic development strategy Make it Kitchener includes investment in the maker ecosystem including early stage development for youth. Specifically, Make it *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 4 - 1 KitchenerSupport maker culture in particular among youth and support access to REPORT: Staff have identified opportunities to grow the local maker ecosystem to advance the priorities inMake it Kitchener membership-based facility that serves adults, but is inappropriate for youth as its space is unsupervised. Youth programming is primarily delivered through the Maker Club held at THEMUSEUM on a monthly basis since 2013. The Maker Club has already established demand for youth makerspace; it has consistently reached its maximum capacity since March 2015. Programming is centred around S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts including hands-on skill-building activities such as soldering, woodworking, toy-hacking, 3D printing, rocket launching, and silk screening. Based on the success of Maker Club, THEMUSEUM is proposing the creation of a multi- The Underground Studio to expand and modernize its S.T.E.M. education programs for youth. The Underground Studio will provide a genderless, ageless and empowering atmosphere where children can advance their S.T.E.M. learning. Its programs will be offered to youth of all abilities and income levels. THEMUSEUM space is on the verge of being a collaborative hub for young makers, but is currently limited in what it can offer teachers, students and the general public without proper electrical setup, equipment and work areas in place. The proposed Underground Studio will allow THEMUSEUM to build on its current education programs and workshops for children ages six to 12, and expand to offer more programs for youth aged 13 to 17. The Underground Studio will be a place where children and youth are able to foster new skills, gain access to specialized equipment, meet community mentors, and become creators. The space will be designed for children to tinker, hack, remodel, invent, and explore new ideas and solutions. In an environment that increasingly requires digital literacy and technical thinking, Programming In order to successfully launch the Underground Studio, THEMUSEUM will develop a full schedule of activities that can begin in September 2016, including camps, workshops, and school programs. Human resource needs, program development, staff training, renovation needs, and marketing plans are currently under development. The Maker Club program will be offered on a weekly basis, and as part of school group visits and weekend drop-in sessions. The curriculum-based programs will be tailored for beginners, and will be driven by community-led content designed by local technology, science, 4 - 2 engineering and maker experts. These compelling programs, delivered under the guidance and supervision of the Maker-in-Residence will enlighten and inspire children to take the next step in their S.T.E.M. learning, whether it is post-secondary education, apprenticeship or entering the workforce. Fund Raising The Underground Studio renovation and program expansion is supported by the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation ($40,000) and Musagetes Foundation ($20,000), two partners who invest in experiential learning, as well as a Google Community Grant. Christie Digital has committed $40,000 in funding over 2 years. The $50,000 investment by the City of Kitchener will be used to support 50% of capital costs, including electrical upgrades, workstations, materials, and equipment that will be used for woodworking, electronics, textile and digital design activities. With the support of financial partners, THEMUSEUM is committed to keeping admission rates at a reasonable level for low income families, and will subsidize rates for families referred by partner local social service organizations (e.g., . The proposed Underground Studio MakerSpace capital and operating budgets are attached to this report for reference. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN Strategic Priority:Strategy Strong and Resilient Economy 2.1 Foster a business environment that stimulates innovation and job creation, helping start-up entrepreneurs establish and grow their business. Strategic Action: The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the by emphasizing an innovative, caring and vibrant Kitchener and contributing to a strong and resilient economy. vibrant social, economic and cultural city by working together with citizens to create memorable public places and spaces that encourage new business and economic Plan, 2015 2018) ALIGNMENT WITH THE KITCHENER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Make it Kitchener2019 Economic Development Strategy, by supporting creative experimentation and maker culture, particularly in youth. According to Make it Kitchener,rting playful The Underground Studio will be a place where the youth of today can experiment and grow into the innovative workforce of tomorrow. 4 - 3 by in the Make it Kitchener Economic Development Strategy. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The $50,000 financial support being requested can be accommodated through the Economic Development Reserve. THEMUSEUM. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM council / committee meeting. CONSULT/COLLABORATE Through the Ideas of the Brave Symposium, economic development staff consulted and collaborated with over 400 citizens, stakeholders and partners representing a wide range of perspectives. Comments and suggestions include: (a learning robot) for youth, CONCLUSION: THEMUSEUM has broadened its mandate over the years, and in 2010, the institution was THEMUSEUM is committed to -focused future as we advance our status as a global maker hub. The development of the Underground Studio will allow THEMUSEUM to continue to positively impact the growth of Downtown Kitchener by exercising the values of experiential learning, unexpected intersections and diverse voices. Most importantly, it will help to foster and develop the skills and innovation required to prepare aworkforce ready for the future in our community. ACKNOWLEDGEDBY :Michael May, Deputy CAO & Acting CAO Enclosures: Appendix A: Underground Studio Capital Budget Appendix B: Underground Studio Operating Budget Appendix C: Audited Financial Statements, June 30, 2015 4 - 4 4 - 5 4 - 6 4 - 7 4 - 8 4 - 9 4 - 10 4 - 11 4 - 12 4 - 13 4 - 14 4 - 15 4 - 16 4 - 17 4 - 18 4 - 19 4 - 20 4 - 21