On Saturday April 18, the Northwest STEM Hub collaborated with Clatsop Community College and Portland Community College to host 19 local Clatsop county educators for a day of hands-on learning.

Teachers participated in design thinking protocols, an industry-connected design challenge inspired by GP Wauna Mill, an industrial paper mill in located along the Columbia River in Wauna, Oregon, a soldering workshop and differentiated 3d printing breakout sessions. 

 Teachers learning to solder with Portland Community College's STEAM Center staff. Photo courtesy of Chris Hesselbein.

Clatsop Community College hosted the event and was able to give teachers a sneak peak at their new campus makerspace that will serve as a resource for the local community.

"Georgia Pacific Wauna Mill helped us to connect our hands-on learning to real world careers by inspiring us to create a design challenge around paper production," says Chris Hesselbein, a professional learning coach for Northwest Regional Education Service District who leads Northwest STEM Hub work. 

Teachers used design thinking protocols to prototype manufacturing solutions for the warehouse facility. The soldering and 3d printing workshops were run by several volunteers from Portland Community College's STEAM labs. The group traveled to Astoria for the day, bringing with them a truckload of equipment.

Teachers got hands-on with soldering circuit boards and created designs using CAD programs and 3d printers. At the end of the day, teachers left with confidence, community connections, and materials, which allow them to bring these activities back to their students.