The Portland Public Schools unveiled its new mobile makerspace on Sept. 14, prior to its launch with students the following week. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place outside Rowe Elementary School.

The PPS Mobile Makerspace is a mobile lab that will provide a collaborative setting for making, learning, exploring, and sharing, using high-tech to no-tech tools. It will provide every PreK-5 student in the district with at least one design/innovation/engineering experience each year. The makerspace will travel between schools to engage and empower students to explore, create, and solve meaningful problems in the STEM fields. 

Over the last year, PPS, in partnership with the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, has worked with the community to design, build, and outfit this mobile lab. Partners include the Brick & Beam Society of the United Way, Greenbacker Capital, Unum, the Irving Foundation, Maine Space Grant Consortium, University of Southern Maine, St. Joseph’s College, the Les Paul Foundation, ReVision Energy, and the Perloff Family Foundation. 

Attendees at the ceremony included PPS staff, including PPS STEM Coordinator Brooke Teller, Rowe School students, and community and business partners who have supported the creation of this makerspace.

PHOTO: Superintendent Xavier Botana and students outside new makerspace.

View local news coverage about the maker space:

WGME, Channel 13: Portland Public Schools unveils 'mobile makerspace' to help kids explore STEM

WCHS, Channel 6: New 'mobile makerspace' opens for Portland students

The Foundation for Portland Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that strives to be a catalyst for increased educational opportunities, achievement, and equity for all Portland Public Schools students and staff. The Foundation’s work is closely aligned with the Portland Promise, the comprehensive plan of the Portland Public Schools. 

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with approximately 6,500 students, and is also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of close to 60 languages. 51 percent of the district’s students are white and 49 percent are students of color. Approximately half of PPS students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals