Each week at Makers Mill, a group of curious children gather to explore their creativity through STEM programming. This transformative experience is made possible by a subject-matter champion and his curriculum, a welcoming, well-equipped facility, enthusiastic families, a talented budding teacher, big-hearted volunteers, and a very generous family. Together they bring experiential learning to life for youth in Carroll County, NH.
The Power of Hands-On
You may have read about the benefits of working with one’s hands in one of the several news articles published earlier this year; it turns out that making stuff is good for your brain. Whether it is writing by hand, drawing or coloring, gardening, knitting, or playing the piano, using one’s hands promotes wellness. Dr. Kelly Lambert, a professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Richmond in Virginia, has found that “a whole range of hands-on activities are associated with cognitive and emotional benefits, including improvements in memory and attention, as well as reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms (Heid, 2024).” With the rise of digital screens, both adults and kids are using their hands less for complex motor activities. Researchers warn that the “understimulation of the brain could ultimately lead to deficits in attention, memory formation and problem-solving (Heid, 2024).” Makers Mill provides opportunities to counteract this trend by offering a robust, accessible facility coupled with impactful programming.
Welcome the Movers and Makers
Movers and Makers is an innovative 4-H program, spearheaded by Claes Thelemarck, a former science teacher and currently the Field Specialist of 4-H/Youth and Family at the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. Claes trains educators and volunteers across the state to inspire and guide youth through STEM curriculum. As the lead instructor for 4H Movers and Makers, he runs an enriching after-school program that meets once per week at Makers Mill throughout the entire school year.
While Claes specializes in STEM, he believes in the crucial role “art” plays in the maker-based approach to education, transforming STEM into STEAM. Hands-on activities ignite a sense of curiosity, sharpen observation, and foster experimentation. Students delve into coding, robotics, and circuitry, but Claes values the life skills most – the social-emotional learning that unfolds in the classroom. During the consistent weekly gatherings throughout the school year, students develop these essential skills, making the program truly impactful.
Young Makers in Action
Monica Haedecke-Lira, a textile designer from New York and an early member of Makers Mill, relocated to Wolfeboro with her two children, ages 7 and 8. While she appreciates the ample opportunities for adults and seniors to engage with the community in Wolfeboro, she noticed a lack of recreational options for kids. So, when 4H Movers and Makers was announced, Monica eagerly enrolled her children, Margo and Olivia. After their transformative year in the program, Monica wished there was space for more children to join. Reflecting on their experience, Monica said she saw overall growth in Margot and Olivia, especially in their confidence in their ability to use materials properly. The program allowed the girls to express themselves freely without fear of ridicule, enhancing communication skills as they verbalized their thought processes and presented their work to the group.
Claes, along with Mary Lyon, a Makers Mill board member and former teacher, guided the children through the thought-provoking process of designing, building, and experimenting with each project. Monster Stuffy Robots, a favored project by the teachers as well as Margot and Oliva, seamlessly blended traditional crafting skills like sewing, with modern coding technology. Students began by sketching their unique character designs, then creating a custom pattern, cutting them from fabric, and finally sewing it into a final product. They took their creations to the next level by embellishing and animating them with Micro:bits, which they coded to react to the user’s actions with sound and light.
Margot and Olivia loved the program as well as the teachers, whom Margo mentioned they felt very comfortable with. “Margot and Olivia consider themselves makers now.” The girls design and make their own costumes at home. “When they get to use the robust fiber studio at Makers Mill, they feel so special. The girls are so proud of their work and will say, ‘I did this! I can sew it!’”
Opportune Connections
Riding on the success of 4H Movers and Makers, the community’s enthusiasm led to the creation of a weekly summer 4H program for kids, and in turn, an opportunity for a Gen Z participant and leader. Perhaps the ideal example of how a student can successfully graduate through the publicly funded New Hampshire education system, Riley Towle attended Inter-Lakes Middle and High School and Lakes Region Community College before transferring to UNH last year, now entering his junior year of the Science Education HS/MS Accelerated Master’s degree program. Serendipitously, not only is Riley the only student currently studying to become a science teacher in the USNH system, but he was also the only student who chose to apply for the 4H STEM summer internship. All parties were in luck. With his enthusiasm, kindness, and creativity, Riley was truly the perfect fit to lead the 4H Summer Science of Fun at Makers Mill and Ossipee Library.
Riley guided intriguing maker-based STEAM projects including Squishy Circuits, Rube Goldberg machines, Whimsical Whirligigs, paper rockets, Wigglebots and an egg drop challenge. Riley researched and planned all the activities, prepped for the projects, and ultimately put his teaching skills to the test. As a new teacher, he was learning the needs of his students and how to manage a classroom, while also falling in love with the lightbulb moment his students had when a project was challenging to work through. The students’ delight was especially evident with Wigglebots when students mounted vibrating motors onto cups to make them wiggle around the table. Well-loved by the students participating in the program, on the last day Riley received a big thank-you bear hug from seven-year-old, Johnny Fiske, who unknowingly played a big role in making this program happen this summer.
John and Courtney Fiske, who divide their time between San Diego and Wolfeboro, have three sons aged two, five, and seven, including Johnny. With three curious and active boys, they are always looking for new opportunities to balance out screen time. Speaking from experience, John feels that “Spending a lifetime in front of the computer screen doesn’t equate to a good quality of life.” In that regard, he and Courtney use their foundation, The Fiske Family Foundation, to support organizations that provide access to, “the two great equalizers,” education and recreation. Their goal is to help provide a better quality of life and create new opportunities for people in communities, including those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. In talking about philanthropy, John hopes others will feel more comfortable with it and encourages people to donate in their name, saying “I’m a normal person and I contributed to this, and you should too.” It’s with that openly generous spirit, that prompted John to quickly step in when funding had fallen through for the 4H Summer Science of Fun program.
As previous donors to the building of Makers Mill, John and Courtney were familiar with and believed in the mission and vision of Makers Mill, particularly that it gives residents a place to find community and enrichment outside of the house during the long winters of central New Hampshire, particularly for those who may be unable to participate in physical recreation. As a retiree in a rural area, the social aspect of Makers Mill provides a place to connect with people to avoid potential loneliness. John sees the accessibility of low entry-point crafting, like quilting and leatherwork, as easy ways to practice handiwork that may allow people to process grief and loss. In addition to the wellness aspect, John sees value in the vocational potential at Makers Mill. For students taking a Gap year before college, Makers Mill allows young people or those in a career transition to explore their aptitudes before making a costly tuition investment.
Further funding from the Bald Peak Community Fund enabled Makers Mill to purchase laptops adequate for programming, allowing program instructors to introduce age-appropriate curriculum around coding, automation, robotics, and other STEM competencies and topics. Made possible by member contributions, Bald Peak Community Fund delivers monetary support to charitable organizations providing services in the Lakes Region.
Perhaps the piece that differentiates Makers Mill as a resource as well as a venue for hosting programs like the 4H Movers and Makers program, is the energy that is created by the incredibly diverse, devoted, and passionate volunteers and members who make the space come alive with activity. There’s a sense of community that is cultivated by the people who spend time, some daily, working in, and working on improving the studios. For adults, as well as the students participating in 4H Movers and Makers, there’s a deep sense of agency that people develop. For kids, it’s by solving problems in a safe space where they can fail forward while learning to feel accomplishment and confidence in their work. For adults, there’s the gratification of civic involvement and joining with others to build resilience and creative growth for the community.
Future Inspiration
For champions, like Claes, he’s hoping to expand the 4H Movers and Makers program to reach more youth, continuing to promote personal growth in each of the students who participate. To keep the momentum, he hopes more Makers Mill members will volunteer to help in the program. “I believe the youth-adult partnership formed when working together and making things benefits all those who participate.” Together, we inspire young minds and build a stronger, more creative community. Join Claes at Makers Mill by volunteering your time or donating so we can continue to make an impact on local youth and watch them transform into confident, capable makers.
Youth, ages 8-12, who are interested in joining the next cohort of 4H Movers and Makers this fall, should contact Claes at claes.thelemarck@unh.edu. The session will start on September 18th and meet weekly from 3:30-5:30 pm on Wednesdays at Makers Mill.
Heid, Markham. March 28, 2024. Working With Your Hands Is Good for Your Brain. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/well/mind/hands-mindfulness-typing-writing.html