“It’s a welcome addition. It’s new and different and exciting. It brings energy back to Main Street” shared Justin Evans, Executive Director of the Hardy County Chamber of Commerce.
Located next door to the Hardy County Library, the storefront once empty is alive now with colorful signage and staff encouraging the community to take a look inside.
Inside, one will first find the retail space, operated by Jay Kirk. The shop sells a variety of science-related merchandise, including parts and other necessities for robotics. Straight behind the counter, one will find the community “maker” space. Within this segment, one can access 3D printers, computer terminals, and tools to craft everything from art to practical items for everyday use.
The back section, nearly half of the space, will provide a practice and planning area for robotics teams, both school-based and home or otherwise schooled.
“Somebody may not know what’s going on,” said Evans, then they can walk in, look at all of the tools and kits, and say “oh, this is something I want to do with my life.”
One of the parents with a child already involved is Kevin Clark. Last Saturday, he was a dad exploring his son’s interest and passion for technology, but during the week, Clark serves as Mineral County Economic Development Director.
He described how his 13-year-old son Jack “is really into this” and constructed his own electric and gas-powered minibike. “He wants to take this farther,” shared Clark, who added that his son has a small 3D printer at home, but “can’t wait to get into one of the giant ones.”
As organizers prepared for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the day, children of all ages joyfully skittered around the room. Teenagers, mostly decked out in Moorefield Robotics or JackBots shirts, helped organizers with the crowd. Elementary school children went here and there, excited with the hands-on tools and parts. Many of those in between those ages busied themselves at the terminals and work stations, exploring what they could find.
Some sang along with music provided by a disc jockey, several older students joining together to Bohemian Rhapsody.
Observing the fun and learning taking place, STEMPact’s Alicien Adkins said “welcome to our chaos!”
Before the ribbon cutting, some who helped make this project happen shared a few words about the store and spaces. Adkins said “this has been a long time coming . . . we’ve got great kids, super talented kids.”
Summer Evans, a Moorefield High School senior who is part of the robotics team, spoke next. First she praised “our two amazing coaches” Adkins and Bonnie Crites, calling them also “supporters, advisors, teachers” and that “to many of us (they are) Mom A and Mom B.” She closed by addressing the team that put the facility together, saying “this is your ‘I made it’ moment.”
Jay Kirk then shared his inspiration for joining in the endeavor. He explained that he home schools his children and had put together a team of three students for robotics. Adkins and Crites invited the team to join the school-based teams at Moorefield Middle School for learning and practice. The help paid off with victories for the small but mighty squad.
He then described how the whole group came together when the space was secured. It took countless hours to demolish the previous interior, then resurrect the space as the Physics and STEMPact facility.
“A lot of Jackbots were here” along the way to help build the space “all on our own blood and sweat,” as Kirk described.
Kirk explained that the retail space cannot compete pricewise with online outlets like Amazon that can sell for slightly lower costs. That said, ordering online does not support local robotics teams and community spaces.
While he did not mention this aspect, shopping at the Physics “brick and mortar” shop brings young people and others interested into the community. One can meet others working on projects, get advice from older kids or adults who have been involved for a longer time.
The space provides tremendous value because it connects everyone together in the common cause of technology competition, education, and fun. The maker space in the middle is slated to be ready for the community later this fall, but robotics teams are already preparing for future triumphs there.
Dreams do come true, but it often takes time, effort, and hard work to bring them to life. It also takes people willing to take a chance on something untried. Kirk also praised Pendleton Community Bank for their support, capital, and their willingness to take a risk on something new and exciting.
“I love Pendleton Community Bank!” he shared.
“It’s like nothing Moorefield has ever had before,” said Evans.
