Case Study: PS 15 Patrick F. Daly achieves hands-on, project-based STEM learning with MakerBot

Revolutionizing Project-Based Learning in the Classroom and Preparing Students for the Careers of the Future

P.S. 15 Patrick F. Daly, a K–5 magnet school in Red Hook, Brooklyn, needed a way to boost student engagement and bring project-based STEM learning to life on a limited public-school budget. With three years of Magnet Grant funding, STEM educator Jenna Utter introduced a classroom Makerspace and selected MakerBot hardware—three MakerBot Replicator Mini desktop 3D printers, one MakerBot Replicator (Fifth Generation) and one MakerBot Replicator 2—to give students hands-on tools for design and iteration.

MakerBot’s printers were used in team-based 3D design challenges for grades 2–5, where students sketched, modeled in Tinkercad, iterated on prints and applied math, engineering and circuitry concepts. The Makerspace produced measurable resources (5 MakerBot printers serving grades 2–5), boosted engagement and collaboration, generated cross-curricular projects—earthquake‑resistant models, rubber‑band cars, LED pins, personalized keychains and courtyard bench prototypes—and gave students real-world, career‑readiness experiences while reinforcing standards-based learning.

P.S. 15 Patrick F. Daly

Jenna Utter

STEM Educator