Garner Holt Education Through Imagination, based in Redlands, has won a gold Edison Award for its AniMakerspace for STEAM Learning and Career Exploration.
Named after Thomas Alva Edison, the Edison Awards have recognized and honored innovative new products, services and business leaders since 1987. The Edison Awards are operated by EdisonUniverse, a nonprofit organization.
A panel of judges composed of more than 3,000 senior business executives and academics chose the AniMakerspace for STEAM Learning and Career Exploration for the 2021 gold Edison Award, according to a news release.
Garner Holt Education through Imagination is a STEAM learning and career exploration company inspired by the work of Garner Holt Productions and the life story of its founder, Garner Holt, who started his business in his parents’ garage in San Bernardino when he was 16.
“We do this by supporting school staff in the creation of units of study that provide students with real-world, career-focused, hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math experiences through problem-based and project-based lessons”
Garner Holt Productions, which moved its headquarters from San Bernardino to Redlands, is a leading manufacturer of animatronics for theme parks.
The Garner Holt Education Through Imagination team, made up of former public school educators and animatronics industry experts, specializes in the design, installation and use of the AniMakerspace, a learning laboratory designed to increase students’ levels of hope and engagement through experiential learning opportunities, according to the news release.
“We do this by supporting school staff in the creation of units of study that provide students with real-world, career-focused, hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math experiences through problem-based and project-based lessons,” Ryan Rainbolt, president of Garner Holt Education Through Imagination, said in the news release.
The AniMakerspace is equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, vacuum formers, CNC milling machines, sewing machines, airbrushes, a variety of software applications and advanced animatronics.
“To be able to inspire kids to dream big, dream outside the box, and to help them know they are capable of achieving anything they can imagine has become the greatest accomplishment of my life,” Garner Holt, founder and chief executive officer of Garner Holt Productions, said in the news release.
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