CONNORVILLE — Teachers at Buckeye Local High School got schooled on technology to implement more modern tools into their class lessons.

Ten teachers in all subjects took part in a two-day training session with Connie Fasig, professional learning specialist with Minnesota-based educational technology firm Bluum, on June 2-3 where they learned about how to use and instruct with new equipment being added to the school’s Makerspace area near the media center. Among the items are Finch robots, Makerbot Sketch Sprint 3-D printers, Cricut cutting machines, a sublimation printer and xTool laser engraver.

“We have had teachers getting trained for two days [to] learn about the technology, which will be housed upstairs in the media center for teachers and students to use in educational settings,” said Principal Luke Parsons.

He added that the equipment and training were paid through federal funding specifically earmarked for technology and said the high-tech tools will enhance student learning in a variety of courses.

“This will be beneficial for our CTE classes, STEM and mathematics,” Parsons said. “I want to thank [Superintendent Coy] Sudvary for allowing and providing this wonderful event. We are on year two and hope to continue in the years ahead.”

The sessions incorporated hands-on learning and videos to help teachers prepare the technology, software and setup steps so they may integrate the devices into their course studies. Fasig said the available Makerspace STEM tools include Finch robots that students can learn to program and use the sensors to complete obstacles; the Makerbot, which has 3-D design to make prototypes and other creations; Cricut cutting machines and sublimation printers to create designs and student projects; and the xTool laser cutter/engraver to engrave templars, wood, signs and other items for CTE and student projects. The tools should arrive by August for implementation during the 2025-26 school year.

“The teachers are learning about the different tools they can use for the general curriculum and career-tech education,” she continued. “It’s a way to give teachers new tools in their hands and they can go over curriculum standards and help solve student problems.”

Several of the teachers have used or intend to utilize the tools within their classrooms.

“I can have kids use it in my programming class to check their creativity and we’ll probably use it during the first semester,” said math and STEM teacher Jeff Merrill.

“I could use it with my career-tech students,” said performing arts teacher Chuck Eddy. “I think I could use it to teach them about the technical aspects of coding and the tech crew for my spring musical would be very interested in it. Maybe we can incorporate it into the theater.”

Interactive media teacher Dan Davis said his students could learn the basics of coding or do engraving projects.

“My IT students could make designs for the Makerbots and they can make logos and use the xTool to etch them into items,” he said, noting that he may also look at using AI technology in the future.

Career-tech teacher Joanna Call said she has used her personal Cricut system in class and she looked forward to having even more tools on hand to educate her pupils.

“We have made T-shirts for retiring teachers, cups for the Foods 2 class engraved designs on the Esports computers and desk blotters, and we also have the sublimation printer and made designs to get our symbol out into the public,” she commented.