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The sound of bandsaws humming and metal being shaped filled NextFab’s Philadelphia maker space as 15 young men from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School rolled up their sleeves for an experience that would challenge everything they thought they knew about creating with their hands.
Following NextFab’s Makers Education Summit on March 3rd, where Business Development Manager Bob Nardi connected with educators from across the region, St. Joe’s Prep took him up on an exciting offer: bring your students to experience hands-on making that goes far beyond traditional classroom learning.
“We got a group of St. Joe’s Prep students who were headed to college and got them to do something that was hands-on,” explains Nardi. “They’d been sitting in a classroom for the last four years.”
The goal wasn’t just to give students a break from textbooks, but to open their eyes to possibilities they might never have considered.
This partnership reflects a growing trend in education that’s gaining national attention. As recently highlighted in the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of Father Judge High School, educators are increasingly recognizing the importance of engaging young people in making things and reconnecting with practical skills and trades.
The experience provided valuable insights into the gap between perception and reality when it comes to trade skills. When asked who had previous experience with woodworking and metalwork, all 15 students raised their hands. However, as the workshop progressed, it became clear that only one actually had meaningful prior experience. This is a common occurrence that highlights the need for experiential education.
“It’s critical that we show individuals what’s possible when you put tools, talent, and a bit of time and money behind something,” Nardi emphasizes. “It can really change a person’s life.”
During their visit to NextFab, the St. Joe’s Prep students tackled projects in both the woodshop and metalshop, creating tangible items they could take home and show off.
In the woodshop, students crafted personalized wooden cheeseboards, a project specifically chosen for its accessibility and educational value.
“We use the cheeseboard because it’s easy and a great show-and-tell item,” Nardi explains. “To make this, you have to use a number of different tools like the bandsaw, drill press, and sanding platform. It gives them a lot of experience.”
This time, NextFab’s team went above and beyond, using digital fabrication tools to layer the school’s logo onto each board. This addition demonstrated not only traditional woodworking techniques but also the possibilities available through NextFab’s advanced digital fabrication capabilities.
To provide an even richer experience, the students also worked in NextFab’s metalshop, creating functional metal coat racks. This dual-workshop approach gave the students exposure to different materials, tools, and techniques, broadening their understanding of what’s possible in modern making.
For Nardi, the true value of these educational partnerships extends far beyond the projects themselves.
“NextFab can add tremendous care to young people as they’re trying to decide how to spend the next 50 years of their lives,” he reflects. “It can also rule something out, which is just as important as finding what you want.”
The experience helps students understand practical applications that could benefit them regardless of their chosen career path.
“Not that they’re going to be a union laborer,” Nardi clarifies, “but teaching things like the connection that metal and electricity and gases have in a product would help them make things that are stable if they’re going to be an engineer.”
Some students discover they have no interest in making after experiencing it firsthand, while others want to take a deep dive into these skills. Both outcomes are equally valuable in helping young people make informed decisions about their futures.
The St. Joe’s Prep workshop represents just the beginning of what’s possible when educational institutions partner with NextFab. The experience demonstrates how makerspaces can complement traditional education by providing:
Bob Nardi’s vision includes more high school visits and extends to other groups.
“My hope is that we can engage other local schools and invite them into either a one-day or a 5-week program, or whatever they want,” he explains. “We are widely open to provide that experience, and it’s a valuable part of life education.”
Bob sees the potential applications span across age groups and institutions:
What makes these educational experiences particularly powerful is NextFab’s combination of professional-grade equipment, knowledgeable staff, and supportive community environment. Students aren’t just using tools, they’re learning from experienced makers who can guide them through both technical skills and creative problem-solving.
The dual-workshop approach showcased during the St. Joe’s Prep visit demonstrates NextFab’s comprehensive capabilities. From traditional woodworking to advanced metalwork, from digital fabrication to hands-on craftsmanship, students experience the full spectrum of modern making.
Educational institutions, community organizations, and groups of all kinds can design custom experiences at NextFab. Whether you’re looking for a single-day introduction to making or a multi-week program that builds comprehensive skills, NextFab’s team can create programming that meets your specific goals and interests.
The success of the St. Joe’s Prep workshop proves that when young people are given the opportunity to create something meaningful with their hands, guided by expert instruction and equipped with professional tools, the results extend far beyond the physical projects they complete.
Ready to bring hands-on learning to your organization? NextFab’s group events and educational partnerships offer transformative experiences for students, professionals, and community members of all ages. From single workshops to comprehensive programs, we’ll work with you to create an experience that opens new possibilities and builds valuable skills.
Learn more about bringing your next group event to NextFab and discover how hands-on making can transform learning and career exploration here.
In Partnership with FORMATION. Media
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