Yes, I knew five people who were applying for the role, so I decided to apply too. It turned out to be a great group, and despite limited resources in the first year, we progressed from zero to an actual makerspace so that others with similar interests had a place to come together and learn. The school eventually decided to renovate it. One of my favorite projects was building a rocket engine. We still have it at home as a trophy. It worked for a while before exploding, but it was a fantastic learning experience. Being in the makerspace was incredible. We had the freedom to work on whatever we wanted, whether it was building a Stirling engine or experimenting with computers.
There are many, but one that stands out is bringing PBIS students to Czech Technical University in Prague (CVUT). Basically, PBIS computer science students visit the uni for a day to get some hands-on experience. When I graduated, I promised Mr. Millington I'd bring his class to my university.
They arrive around 11:00 AM for a campus tour, visiting labs and meeting teachers. After lunch, we have a two-hour lab session where they engage with actual equipment, setting up networks and working with real hardware.
I feel a sense of obligation. PBIS was the first place where school felt enjoyable and not like a chore. In Poland, I had severe anxiety about school, but PBIS changed that. We could have after-school clubs and do exciting things like picking up radio waves from satellites. I felt empowered, and I want to give back to the school that did so much for me.
Don't fear failure. It's inevitable in projects. If you fail, keep trying; success takes multiple attempts. For instance, my truck vehicle project is on its third iteration. Always test your work thoroughly, even if it succeeds initially.
Yes, I encourage it! If students face a problem they can't solve, I tell them to reach out to me. It's all about doing something great together.