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502 491 3171

office@stmarthaschool.org

2825 Klondike Ln

Louisville, KY 40218

7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Monday to Friday

The child has one intuitive aim: self development

St. Martha Makerspace prepares students for the future

After touring several STEM labs and meeting with experts, St. Martha created a Makerspace/STEM lab this year.

Dana Bale, who teaches middle school science and leads the school’s robotics program, established the space this summer and helps colleagues use it as part of their curriculum.

“The students we are teaching now, many of their jobs don’t even exist today,” says Bale. “In here not only are they creating, building and tinkering, they are also problem solving, communicating and collaborating. Our goal is to cultivate these 21stcentury skills, as well as high school and college readiness.”

The tools in the lab range from high tech to low….in one corner you’ll find robots – VEX, Mindstorm, Sphereos, Ozobot, Dash and Dot. In another a 3-D printer and a Cricut. Across the room is a Lego Wall, K’nex and arts and crafts materials like pipe cleaners and pompoms. And carboard – lots and lots of carboard.

“You can spend a million dollars or have a lot of recycling,” says Bale. “It’s really just about making your brain work differently.”

Teachers reserve time for their classes to use the space on a Google calendar and some of the robotics tools offer curriculum they can use.

Bale says her goal is to establish monthly themes in the lab as well: “It may be nature, sustainability, ethics, energy, peace.”

Related:

Robotics Club: Where it all began

The momentum for the St. Martha Makerspace really began two years ago when Dana Bale stood up the school’s first ever robotics club.

So many 3rd, 4thand 5thgraders signed up for the club’s second year, an intramural team (with parent volunteers) was added. In order to make the competition team, students had to write an essay about why they wanted to be involved.

And compete they did. Last year, the school registered two teams in multiple categories at the VEX Robotics competition including: STEM Research, autonomous programming, design notebook and team alliance. They placed 13thin the district, 8thin the region and 12thin the state. And won the design award. This year, the club’s goal is to expand the teams to middle school and to compete at the World Competition.

“We are incredibly lucky to have Dana’s leadership in this area,” says Michael Bickett, St. Martha’s principal. “She has won us grants from companies like Dell for additional robots, she’s gone above and beyond seeking training on how to apply new technology in the classroom, and she’s captured the imagination of our students…she’s made coding cool.”

It’s a good problem to have, but perhaps still a problem.

“The interest and demand has been so great – we’re still working to determine how eight robots are going to cover the club and classes,” jokes Bale.

Great Prep for High School

“The community and fellowship are amazing. My boys have made friendships and bonds they will treasure. Their educational experience has been wonderful and will help them with their transition to high school!”

– Maranda White

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2016-03-14T15:19:08+00:00

– Maranda White

“The community and fellowship are amazing. My boys have made friendships and bonds they will treasure. Their educational experience has been wonderful and will help them with their transition to high school!”

Family is the Best Word

"The teachers are really vested in the kids long after they leave their classes. Family is the best word to describe St. Martha and prepared is the best word to describe my son after his time there.”

Amy Landrum

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2016-03-14T15:19:18+00:00

Amy Landrum

“The teachers are really vested in the kids long after they leave their classes. Family is the best word to describe St. Martha and prepared is the best word to describe my son after his time there.”

Warm & Inviting

“My children attend this school and love it!  The community is warm & inviting, the school staff genuinely care about my children's whole well-being. I highly recommend this school.”

– Kari Ogle

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:33:19+00:00

– Kari Ogle

“My children attend this school and love it!  The community is warm & inviting, the school staff genuinely care about my children’s whole well-being. I highly recommend this school.”

Being a Part of a Family

“When choosing a parish for my family, I was looking for a community that would fulfill our spiritual, educational, and social needs. St. Martha Church and School has been that for over 23 years now."

– Dana Bale

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:39:56+00:00

– Dana Bale

“When choosing a parish for my family, I was looking for a community that would fulfill our spiritual, educational, and social needs. St. Martha Church and School has been that for over 23 years now.”

Top-Notch Academics

“Top-notch academics, athletics, students and parents. You won't find a better school!

– Katherine A. McCurry

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:42:19+00:00

– Katherine A. McCurry

“Top-notch academics, athletics, students and parents. You won’t find a better school!

It’s a Blast

“Softball leagues here are a blast. Best fish in town!”

– Kathleen Smith

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:43:41+00:00

– Kathleen Smith

“Softball leagues here are a blast. Best fish in town!”

You Can’t Beat the People

"My husband and I toured several parish schools in Louisville, and St. Martha stood out for its incredibly friendly staff and supporting culture. We felt the magic immediately."

– Lauren Micka Thomas

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T17:10:14+00:00

– Lauren Micka Thomas

“My husband and I toured several parish schools in Louisville, and St. Martha stood out for its incredibly friendly staff and supporting culture. We felt the magic immediately.”

Neighborhood School

"Our family initially picked St Martha due to it being a private school in our neighborhood, we’re not Catholic. We didn’t know anyone but I had heard good things. As soon as the kids started there it felt like family. We quickly got engaged in clubs and sports and all of us have made great friends!! The staff is top notch and the boys can’t wait to go to school everyday!"

Kim Lockard

Kim Lockard

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2018-01-25T13:50:09+00:00

Kim Lockard

“Our family initially picked St Martha due to it being a private school in our neighborhood, we’re not Catholic. We didn’t know anyone but I had heard good things. As soon as the kids started there it felt like family. We quickly got engaged in clubs and sports and all of us have made great friends!! The staff is top […]

Our Teachers Go Above and Beyond

"It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the faculty and staff of St. Martha want your child to succeed just as much as you do as their parent. If I ever have a concern, or for that matter my child has a concern about something they don’t understand, they are provided with extra support until they are able to master the skill being taught. Our teachers go above and beyond!"

- Deana Price, St Martha Parent
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:07:27+00:00
“It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the faculty and staff of St. Martha want your child to succeed just as much as you do as their parent. If I ever have a concern, or for that matter my child has a concern about something they don’t understand, they are provided with extra support until they are able to master […]

St. Martha Truly Does Rock!

"St. Martha truly does rock! We have a solid faith foundation, a school that provides not only education, but love and support to our children. We have a parish that works together to make sure there are groups/activities for every member of the parish. I feel blessed to be a member of the St. Martha Community."

Deana Price
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:15:37+00:00
“St. Martha truly does rock! We have a solid faith foundation, a school that provides not only education, but love and support to our children. We have a parish that works together to make sure there are groups/activities for every member of the parish. I feel blessed to be a member of the St. Martha Community.” Deana Price

The Drive…It’s Worth It!

"We drive over 30 minutes each way to get to St. Martha - and it's worth it! We grateful to have found a community of loving, courageous, helpful, kind, genuine people to help us raise our babies - and we're not going anywhere. After 3 years of preschool and with our oldest now in Kindergarten - we know we're where we belong.
A deciding factor and one of the greatest benefits to our family is that SMS offers after school care AND summer care - that are run by SMS staff. My kiddo is in the same place, with people she knows, all year and its priceless!"


Eileen Burden
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:17:48+00:00
“We drive over 30 minutes each way to get to St. Martha – and it’s worth it! We grateful to have found a community of loving, courageous, helpful, kind, genuine people to help us raise our babies – and we’re not going anywhere. After 3 years of preschool and with our oldest now in Kindergarten – we know we’re where […]

There is Something For Everyone

"St. Martha offers such a wide range of extra curricular activities from sports to academic oriented clubs to service clubs and many more. There is something for everyone."

Meredith Havlin
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:21:09+00:00
“St. Martha offers such a wide range of extra curricular activities from sports to academic oriented clubs to service clubs and many more. There is something for everyone.” Meredith Havlin

Supportive Faculty

"I love being part of a faculty that truly cares about each student’s growth and progress. Our teachers are continually seeking ways to support the individual needs of every student."

Anne Bahr
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:22:52+00:00
“I love being part of a faculty that truly cares about each student’s growth and progress. Our teachers are continually seeking ways to support the individual needs of every student.” Anne Bahr

Rich History

"I LOVE that there is a rich history here at St. Martha. The St. Martha community is very welcoming. It is a place where I feel like I belong, and I am valued as an educator and as a person."

Karen Woo
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:24:10+00:00
“I LOVE that there is a rich history here at St. Martha. The St. Martha community is very welcoming. It is a place where I feel like I belong, and I am valued as an educator and as a person.” Karen Woo

Growth Mindset

"I am pleased to see St. Martha moving toward a growth mindset of learning where students are encouraged to manage their own learning goals."

Mariann Lawrence
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:26:44+00:00
“I am pleased to see St. Martha moving toward a growth mindset of learning where students are encouraged to manage their own learning goals.” Mariann Lawrence

No Worries At All!

"My daughter became a Shamrock in 7th grade, and my biggest worry as a parent was if she would feel like part of the school community. I shouldn’t have worried AT ALL. She has said multiple times that the students have been so wonderfully welcoming to her that she feels like she’s been at St. Martha since kindergarten. It’s been an amazing transition for her and we are so thankful for everyone who’s been part of her school experience at St. Martha - her new friends, teachers, school staff, and the St. Martha families. It’s never too late to find your perfect school!"

Sonia Fuderer
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:28:22+00:00
“My daughter became a Shamrock in 7th grade, and my biggest worry as a parent was if she would feel like part of the school community. I shouldn’t have worried AT ALL. She has said multiple times that the students have been so wonderfully welcoming to her that she feels like she’s been at St. Martha since kindergarten. It’s been […]
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