By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
A large crowd of family, friends, and community members gathered in the atrium at the Westfield Washington Public Library (WWPL) on Saturday, Aug. 3, for the dedication of the Annie Gotwald Makerspace and STEM Lab.
Annie, a student at Maple Glen Elementary School, passed away unexpectedly last February from a rare bacterial infection that had no recognizable symptoms.
Through tears, Annie’s mom, Lindsay, described how doctors told them that even if they had known about the infection, the outcome would most likely have been the same.
“The only solution is better and faster and smarter science,” Lindsay said.
Lindsay Gotwald speaks to a crowd gathered in the Westfield Washington Public Library atrium. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Annie’s dad, Greg, told how the family started a GoFundMe page thinking they would do something small for Maple Glen.
“Within 10 minutes, we had more money than we thought we could raise,” Greg said. “It just started growing exponentially, and we kind of panicked thinking, ‘What are we going to do with all this money?’”
Westfield City Councilmember Noah Herron, whose daughter played on Annie’s soccer team, connected the Gotwalds with WWPL Executive Director Sheryl Sollars and Westfield Library Foundation Executive Director Erin Downey.
Samantha Gotwald cuts the ribbon to the Annie Gotwald Makerspace and STEM Lab. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
“We gave them a tour of the entire library before it was finished,” Downey said.
After walking through the library, Greg said they felt that the planned STEM space was checking all the boxes for what they were looking to do in honor of Annie.
“Annie loved STEM,” Lindsay said. “She was curious. She was kind. She was not afraid to ask questions.”
Knowing that the space at WWPL would reach girls as well as boys and would provide access to everyone solidified their decision.
Maple Glen third-grader Corey Horniacek is as interested in learning this robotic system as Annie would be. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
“Based on Annie’s love of STEM, this was just a natural for them,” Downey said.
The contribution from the Ann K. Gotwald Fund for STEM Education has allowed WWPL to purchase MakerBot 3D printers, Cricut machines, equipment for the recording studio and more.
“We have a STEM curriculum in place so we’ll be able to offer classes for the public, but people can also drop in,” Downey says. “We have sewing machines and jewelry-making supplies. It’s a multifaceted space.”
The WWPL STEM area is officially named the Annie Gotwald Library Makerspace and STEM Lab. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Saturday’s dedication marked not only the naming but the grand opening of the STEM center, as WWPL has been busy receiving equipment, getting it set up and getting staff trained on it.
Following the dedication ceremony, Annie’s sister, Samantha, cut the ribbon for the STEM center that welcomed everyone to begin exploring and creating. The rooms filled quickly with people of all ages wearing Ann K. Gotwald Fund T-shirts and buttons with the number 55 for her soccer jersey. Fellow Girl Scout Troop 599 members wore their sashes and vests.
As guests built paper rockets, printed 3D dinosaurs, and learned about coding through Dobots, they couldn’t help but think of Annie.
“Annie is the star today,” Greg said, “literally and figuratively.”
Sunday, Aug. 4, would have marked Annie’s 10th birthday.
For more information on the library, visit wwpl.lib.in.us.
The STEM rooms were filled with people honoring Annie’s memory by sharing, learning, and exploring. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
Be the first to comment on "Annie Gotwald leaves legacy with STEM space in Westfield"