ROCKETS ROBOTICS & ARITHMETIC

The generation before us sewed their own clothes, changed their own oil, and built their own fences. But now, it is said that, “What ordinary people once made, they buy, and what they once fixed for themselves, they replace entirely or hire an expert to repair.” This leads to a feeling of dependence, of being unable to navigate the world on one’s own. Leeper has seen his students learn to be practical by acquiring the know-how they’ll need to survive. Once they’ve designed and created their own step stool, they’re more willing to look at a broken faucet and think, I can fix that. This not only saves money but helps people feel more in control of their own lives.

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Our country has become a beacon of industry, because we have all kinds of different people doing a variety of work. While it is true that we need engineers and attorneys, we also find our selves searching for skilled electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and craftspeople who are able to solve problems that may challenge conventional wisdom. There’s also something special about taking an idea and turning it into a tangible object. We help students to organize their ideas in ways that lead to desirable outcomes based on the challenge at hand. We believe that students who master the methodologies of design thinking will be best suited for the jobs that the global economy will demand. Additionally, these jobs offer unique security because they are not easily outsourced. 

Every child can benefit from a year of our woodworking class which meets twice a week. Whether it’s to improve math skills, reinforce the value of perseverance, or expand career options, or strengthen spatial orientation, students are sure to enjoy the experience of developing and producing their own wooden articles. 

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Every child can benefit from a year of this class. Whether it’s to improve her math skills, her perseverance, or her career options, she’s sure to enjoy the experience of developing and producing her own projects. Or, as Mathew Crawford more eloquently puts it, she’ll find fulfillment in “seeking out the cracks where individual agency and the love of knowledge can be realized today, in one’s own life.”

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Mr. Wallace's creative and experienced style will allow students to explore several different sub-disciplines of woodwork.

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If you are a parent, guardian, family or community member and you'd like to lend your expertise, please contact the sponsors listed below and complete the Adult Volunteer form HERE.

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MASE Woodworking Program Spotlight

The 21st Century Community Learning Center at Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering (MASE) is called, R3 - Rockets, Robotics, & Arithmetic. We'd like to highlight our Woodworking program, one of our STEAM activities, that supports applied learning in mathematics, technology, and visual arts.

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Our instructor is Mr. Daniel Wallace. His creative and experienced style allows students to explore several different sub-disciplines of woodworking. In addition, we have developed partnerships with the Mid-South Woodturners Guild which has provided technical expertise and mentoring and with Classic American Hardwoods, a local lumber vendor who has generously donated materials for this endeavor. Students in our Woodworking program can choose this or any of dozens of other activities on a monthly basis when they devise their STEAM activity schedules.

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View pictures of what we've been doing on the photo galleries!