The Hatch, a new makerspace focusing on STEAM education, or Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, is holding a public Grand Opening in Athens next month.
“We provide the space and resources where professionals and people of all different disciplines can come together and educate one another, collaborate in ways that aren’t generally available, according to Erica Parson, the founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit. She says the shared studio has traditional offerings and it provides access to technology.
“We have traditional making tools and materials like a wood shop, metal shop, photography equipment, fine arts supplies, sewing machines, but then we also have a big emphasis on technology. So we have a laser cutter, several 3-D printers, an entire electronics lab.”
While teachers are encouraged to take advantage of the learning opportunities, Parson says everyone is welcome, including novices, children, and skilled makers.
“A lot of people can’t necessarily decide on what they want to do because they have no idea that they are going to enjoy something that they may not even know that it’s an opportunity for them" Parson said. "That’s one reason why I want to provide all these tools and resources and opportunity to work with different professionals because you may never have exposure to this in school and this is a very cheap, easy and early way to get exposure to that. You might find a passion that you didn’t know you had.”
The Hatch grand opening is October 7 from 7 to 10 pm in the Chase Park Warehouses on Tracy Street.