Using Empathy to Engage Students in Makerspaces (and STEM) - "It's What We're About"

[bun...@rivierahall.org]

Hello Makerspace and FabLab coordinators!,

I was just invited to join your conversation group by John Ubukumo of the InTELA group of Independent School Technology Educators of Los Angeles. 

I've been running a Makerspace (and STEM Program) here at Riviera Hall Lutheran School in Redondo Beach, CA for about 10 years - using empathy based design (Design Thinking) to engage K-5 STEM and Makerspace students - while they learn to be empathetic in the process! 

I've conducted free workshops here - and will be conducting more in 2026. If you're interested in learning how to integrate Design Thinking into your program or just want to find out what this Design Thinking thing is - please respond. 

If I get enough interest nationally I might put a Zoom workshop together so everyone can learn about what we do - no matter where you make (or fab). 

PS Before I was a STEM Teacher and Makerspace Coordinator, I was an industrial design instructor (at six Southern California colleges), and before that a career industrial designer, designing for folks like US Divers (Jacques Cousteau was my boss), Xerox, Moldex-Metric, EZ-Up, and more. 

PPS Design Thinking came from the world of industrial design (go figure!)

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Bill Ungar

Riviera Hall Lutheran School

Redondo Beach, CA

[Dawn Schade]

Bill, 

I would LOVE to be included in a Zoom workshop if you put one on!  

I was a 2nd-4th Makerspace teacher the last 10 years and am now at the district level, but I am always looking for new ideas to pass on to my teachers.

Thank you for your kind offer!

Dawn

[Kim Ducharme]

Hi Bill,

As a former learning experience designer pivoting to Maker Ed and workshops in makerspace contexts, I'd love to join your workshop and compare notes!

Thanks!

Kim

—

Designer | Maker | Educator

Artisans Asylum, Boston

[Nate Gordon]

Hi

Definitely interested!!

Nate

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[MUHAMMAD NIHAL CHETTIYAM VEETTIL]

Hi Bill,

Please include me in updates regarding the 2026 workshops or the potential Zoom session on integrating Design Thinking into STEM and Makerspace programs.

Best regards,
MUHAMMAD NIHAL CHETTIYAM VEETTIL

[MUHAMMAD NIHAL CHETTIYAM VEETTIL]

Hi Bill,

Please include me in updates regarding the 2026 workshops or the potential Zoom session on integrating Design Thinking into STEM and Makerspace programs.

Best regards,
MUHAMMAD NIHAL CHETTIYAM VEETTIL

Office Hours Mon- Thur.  8 am-4 pm

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[Kimberly Fogarty]

Hi Bill, I love learning how/what others are 

Doing to integrate design thinking with students! Count me in on a Zoom as well. 

Thank you!

Kim

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/k-12-fablabs/CA%2BcCq2YO32oe%2BPgHec5L3Q74-opO1yjaGwQjGp8bA8MwLgs0PA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Alice Johnson]

Hi, I am passionate about human-centered design as well and am working to incorporate aspects into my high school math classes. My classroom doubles as the design studio, which is open to students after school. I also lead a team of students called Innovate who are implementing a grant from Lemelson-MIT to be an InvenTeam and create an invention this year! (one of only 8 in the country) I am interested in your Zoom workshop as well! Check out our team on Insta @innovatewithlove :)

Thanks,

Alice

Venture Academy

[god...@skillmillnyc.com]

Bill - I would be happy to host your presentation through MakerED.org.  We run monthly free virtual workshops for maker educators and your topic would be a great fit for our series called Learning Together.  Please get in touch with me at God...@make.co

FYI - our next workshop is January 12 about guiding student podcasting.   You can see the link at the top of the page MakerEd.org

Godwyn
Ms. Godwyn Morris
Director
Dazzling Discoveries/ Skill Mill NYC
and Communications Director, MakerEd