Portland, OR: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland, OR, in partnership with the Multnomah County Library, will convene expert advisors, community advocates, and a teen advisory council in an in-depth planning and design process for the implementation of a hands-on Community Maker Center. Once completed, the space will be a resource youth to gain the 21st century skills needed to participate in a productive civic life. A Teen Advisory Council will inform and collaborate on plans for the design and operation of the Maker Center. In response to a near 20% drop-out rate in Portland Public Schools, the Maker Center will align with Ninth Grade Counts, an effort to connect youth entering grade nine with the support they need to begin high school on the right track. Local youth will have opportunities to engage in creative activities, be valued as resources, and work with adult role models. Project partners include Ninth Grade Counts, Multnomah Youth Commission, FIRST (mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills), TechShop and Oregon Mentors.