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ICAN2LAB

Now known as the Beerline ReCreational Trail

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My role was in helping plan lessons to be implemented in the ICAN2 lab, using this curriculum as a pilot for future Mobile Classrooms. I sought out STEAM projects (STEM + Art) that used basic programming languages such as C++ for Arduino chips, sensors, and physical computing. Thanks to James Carlson of The School Factory and Bucketworks, these curriculum became possible.


While working with the Recreational Trail team, I also took photos and promoted our events, assisted in the painting and construction of the lab itself, and worked under program staff for events. Photos of this space were later featured in a TEDxMilwaukee show called Our City Our Canvas.

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From the summer of 2013-2014 I had the pleasure of assisting with the ARTery trail's (Beerline Recreational Trail) ICAN2 LABS. This project consisted of converting a shipping container located in the industrial corridor of Riverwest/Harambee and the near West side of Milwaukee into a classroom/hands-on STEAM learning lab for youth.

 

This project was/is the brainchild of architect and civil engineer Keith Hayes. It included innovative thinkers like architect Alan Wold, community organizers Erica Wolf and Ellie Jackson, and the minds at Riverworks Development Center.

The corridor once contained a rail line that shipped manufacturing materials and products in and out of the city. Factories lined this corridor, and due to the city's redlining history along the construction of Highway 43 and the Milwaukee River, the city is still unfortunately segregated today with white and black working class on either side.

This project worked towards helping connect instead of divide our neighborhoods, becoming a park, a public path, and an area for learning, collaboration, the arts, and innovation. Eventually, the city of Milwaukee acquired the trail and now manicures it as part of Milwaukee's trail infrastructure: https://www.traillink.com/trail/beerline-trail/

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