Nov. 7 marked the culmination of a four-day STEAM lesson for Rowe Elementary School fifth-graders and they had a big task before them: Make the robot creatures they had created “come to life” with lights, motion and sound.

Their “Robot Petting Zoo” lesson was an example of the hands-on opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math that the Portland Public Schools provides for elementary students through its Mobile Makerspace. But the lesson wouldn’t be easy, their instructor warned.

“This is hard and fun at the same time,” Karen Shibles, Portland Public Schools makerspace coordinator, told the students as they began the lesson. But she urged them to “persevere through challenges,” using the engineering design process they had been taught to make the creatures they had built from materials like disposable cups and construction paper move, make sounds, and light up, seeming to come to life.

“Day 4 is an exciting day because students are attaching motors to their robots and parts like ears, wings, tails, and more begin to move,” Shibles said. “This project integrates all aspects of STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math. It’s a high-tech project utilizing Chromebooks, micro:bits, along with lights, motors, and more.”

Shibles runs PPS’ Mobile Makerspace, which serves elementary schools across the district by bringing hands-on STEAM experiences like the “Robot Petting Zoo” directly to students in grades Pre-K through 5. The program offers a variety of activities, from low-tech creative challenges to advanced technology integration, that emphasize the engineering design process. On Nov. 7—the day before National STEM Day on Nov. 8—plenty of fun was also mixed in.

For example, Shibles encouraged students to name their robots and the students, working in pairs, delighted in coming up with a variety of quirky names. Two boys called their robot squirrel “Squirrel 67” and were proud to soon get their robot’s nose to move like it was sniffing, its eyes to light up and its tail to begin moving back and forth. Another pair of students called their robot bear “Berry” because that’s what bears like to eat and two girls named their dog-like creature “Satan” because of its red eyes.

Shibles moved among the students, encouraging them to work with their partner to figure out any glitches they were having together, rather than immediately asking a teacher to solve the problem or giving up.

“Through these hands-on experiences,” Shibles said, “students develop essential 21st-century skills, including cooperation, critical thinking, perseverance, and creativity. By bringing the Makerspace directly to each elementary school, we ensure equitable access to high-quality STEAM education and foster joyful learning for all students in our district.”

Two local TV stations were there to cover the lesson live. See below:

●      WGME, Channel 13, Nov. 7, 2025: Portland elementary school students get hands-on engineering experience

●      WMTW-TV Channel 8, Nov. 7 2025: Students at Portland elementary school create robot petting zoo through STEAM project