Grant Supports Makerspace Engineering Program

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is making a commitment to supporting Connecticut’s manufacturing talent pipeline. 

The foundation awarded a $350,000 grant to MakerspaceCT for the organization’s engineering primer program. 

The initiative is focused on training high school students from underserved and vulnerable communities for entry level manufacturing and engineering jobs. 

Over the course of a year, MakerspaceCT’s engineering primer program trains 40 students with hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technology. 

“Our assessments show that our students gained knowledge and confidence in creating and fabricating their own project ideas using cutting-edge technology,” said MakerspaceCT education director Cole Grosner.

“This grant is essential to open up opportunities to elevate and empower high school students to explore and enter the workforce pipeline or advance technical education.”

Experiential Learning 

MakerspaceCT offers four, 10-week programs to students throughout the year. 

As part of the program, students take part in 60 hours of hands-on, project-based engagement, with specific learning outcomes related to CAD, 3D printing, basic electrical circuits, and soldering skills. 

Students are assessed frequently, with extra time offered outside the program’s traditional hours. 

“The engineering primer program takes a multifaceted approach to skill development.”

Hartford Foundation’s Alexis Safo-Agyeman

“MakerspaceCT has positioned itself as a skill development center for the greater Hartford’s next generation of makers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and students,” said foundation community impact officer Alexis Safo-Agyeman.

“Like all of its programming, the engineering primer program takes a multifaceted approach to skill development, community engagement, and can make a significant contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the manufacturing field.”

Graduates of the engineering primer program receive a list of industry-recognized credentials.