Hammond, Indiana
At Eggers Middle School in Hammond, Indiana, innovation is not an elective or an afterthought. It is embedded into daily instruction through a makerspace that serves as a powerful engine for student growth, career exploration, and real-world learning.
We recently spoke with Michael Villaneuva, Dean of Students and Makerspace Manager, to learn more about how the space has evolved and the impact it is having on middle school students.
Middle school is a pivotal age. Students are forming identities, discovering interests, and beginning to think about their futures. The makerspace at Eggers recognizes this developmental window and intentionally exposes students to career-connected learning through hands-on experiences that build both skills and confidence.
From Vision to Innovation Hub
When the makerspace was first introduced, the goal was clear and ambitious.
“Our original goal was to create a structured, student-centered environment where innovation and problem-solving were embedded into daily instruction, not treated as enrichment. We wanted authentic STEM learning aligned to standards while developing perseverance, collaboration, and critical thinking.”
What began as a standalone lab has grown into something much more.
“Since then, the makerspace has grown from a standalone lab into a cross-curricular innovation hub. It now supports project-based learning across multiple subjects and is fully integrated into our instructional framework.”
Today, the makerspace is not just a room with tools. It is a core part of how learning happens at Eggers Middle School.
Building Confidence Through Career-Connected Learning
Middle school students thrive when they can see purpose in what they are learning. In the Eggers makerspace, students are not simply completing assignments. They are solving problems that mirror real-world challenges and exploring skills tied to future career pathways.
Michael shared that the impact on student confidence has been significant.
“The growth in student confidence has been significant. Students who may not always thrive in traditional settings often excel when designing, building, and iterating. We’ve also seen stronger collaboration and a shift in mindset. Students are beginning to understand that failure is part of the design process. They test, revise, and improve with purpose.”
This shift in mindset is critical at the middle school level. Students are learning that perseverance matters, that iteration is expected, and that growth comes from effort. These lessons extend far beyond the classroom and into future academic and professional opportunities.
Signature Experiences That Connect to the Real World
Eggers Middle School has developed signature makerspace experiences that highlight authentic application and interdisciplinary learning.
“Some of our signature experiences include engineering design challenges aligned to math and science standards, sustainable community design projects, STEM-literacy integration tasks, and coding and robotics foundations. These projects emphasize real-world application, iteration, and presentation of learning.”
Through engineering design challenges, students see how math and science principles translate into tangible solutions. Sustainable community projects connect learning to civic awareness and social responsibility. Coding and robotics introduce computational thinking and technology skills that are increasingly valuable in today’s workforce.
By presenting their learning, students also strengthen communication skills that are essential in any career field.
Innovation Is Interdisciplinary
While STEM serves as the strongest alignment, the makerspace at Eggers supports learning across the curriculum.
“While STEM is the strongest alignment, the makerspace supports math, science, ELA, social studies, and art. It reinforces that innovation is interdisciplinary. It requires content knowledge, creativity, communication, and resilience.”
This interdisciplinary approach ensures that every student can find a connection to the space. It also reinforces a critical truth about the modern workforce: innovation does not happen in silos. It happens when multiple disciplines intersect.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
The makerspace at Eggers Middle School demonstrates that exposing middle school students to career-oriented experiences is not about pushing them to choose a path too early. It is about expanding awareness, building foundational skills, and fostering confidence during a formative stage of development.
Under the leadership of Michael Villaneuva, the makerspace continues to grow as a space where students design, build, collaborate, and explore what is possible for their futures.
At 1st Maker Space, we are proud to support schools like Eggers Middle School that are preparing students not only for high school, but for the evolving careers and challenges of tomorrow.
By engaging with STEAM concepts through hands-on experiences, students develop a deeper understanding of both the process and the content. Curiosity, independence, and confidence grow as students learn that problem-solving is not about getting the right answer the first time, but about learning through doing.
