Wilkinsburg School District is thrilled to announce that both of its schools, Kelly Primary and Turner Intermediate, are now home to Matt's Maker Spaces! These creative, hands-on environments welcome students where they are and invite them to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) through curiosity-driven projects and collaborative learning.
Matt's Maker Space was created by the Conover family to honor their son, Matt Conover, who passed away from cancer at the age of 12. Matt's parents, Noelle and David Conover, wanted to carry forward Matt's legacy of creativity and imagination by building spaces where children could explore, invent, and learn through making. Since the first space opened in the Mt. Lebanon School District in 2016, the initiative has grown into a nonprofit organization with more than 50 Maker Spaces across schools, libraries, community centers, and hospitals, each uniquely designed to meet the needs of its users.
Every Matt's Maker Space, including those at Wilkinsburg, are designed by Anne Fullenkamp, Senior Director of Creative Experience at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. Matt's Maker Space partnered with the Museum because of their extensive expertise in creating hands-on learning environments. During the renovation and consulting work at Kelly Primary, this collaboration helped identify Wilkinsburg as an ideal location for a Maker Space.
"No two Maker Spaces are the same," said Noelle Conover, Executive Director of Matt's Maker Space. "We design each out around the people who will use it. The goal is to let imagination and problem-solving come alive in a way that makes learning joyful. Kids might think they're just building or creating, but they're actually learning without realizing it."
At Kelly Primary, the Maker Space is part of the school's new STEAM classroom, while Turner Intermediate's Maker Space is located in the library. Both locations are spaces that every student visits regularly, an intentional design choice to ensure that all children have access to hands-on learning opportunities and can see themselves as creators.
Each Maker Space features materials and tools that grow with students, from building blocks and cardboard construction for younger learners to more advanced options like sewing machines and 3D printers. The space also supports socio-emotional learning by giving students an outlet for creativity, self-expression, and opportunities to develop teamwork skills.
Teachers have received specialized training through the Matt's Maker Space Foundation, which also fulfills the required professional development for educators. These trainings are fully funded by grants from organizations such as the Grable Foundation, EQT, and PPG, at no cost to the district.
For Wilkinsburg educators, the Maker Spaces align perfectly with the district's commitment to project-based learning and hands-on exploration, reflecting the kind of education the district believes in. Superintendent Dr. Jocelyn Artinger, who previously served in the Mt. Lebanon School District, has seen firsthand the impact of Matt's Maker Spaces. "These areas allow our students to think critically, create freely, and connect with learning experiences beyond the confines of a traditional classroom," she said.
As both schools prepare to open their new spaces, excitement is growing among students and staff alike. The District plans to hold ribbon-cutting celebrations later this school year to officially welcome the Maker Spaces to the Wilkinsburg community.
Because of Matt Conover's legacy, thousands of students across Pennsylvania, and now in Wilkinsburg, will have a place to create, collaborate, and discover the joy of learning through making.