Margaret Donnelly O'Connor Center (MDOC)
1 Ethel R. Lawrence Blvd, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054
STEM Sessions
The 30+ elementary school and middle school students who come to the Margaret Donnelly O'Connor Center live in the Ethel R. Lawrence Homes, an affordable housing complex. This was the first location where the STEMpower Network ran its STEM sessions, starting in February 2023. Coding clubs were first run here as a form of STEM exposure, but this transitioned into these STEM sessions in an effort to make the programs more hands-on for the children.
Makerspace
The initial STEM sessions were a massive hit with the students of the Ethel R. Lawrence Homes. Thus, after receiving funds from the Mount Laurel township, Deven Butani built a makerspace at the MDOC center as an extension of the STEM sessions. A makerspace is a space or a room filled with a variety of materials, such as marbles, legos, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, or other recyclable materials. This allows students to make virtually whatever they want and gives them more creativity and freedom in their projects. The center was opened with an opening ceremony in October 2023.
Updates
In August 2024, funds were secured from Mount Laurel Township to expand the Makerspace with more advanced materials, 1 year after its initial creation. These included Sphero robots, a magnetic marble track, and a 3D printer, which led to a 3D printing club for older students. In July 2025, more funds were secured to expand upon the foundations in technology and engineering among the MDOC students. The arriving items include additional 3D printers, a Dash Robot, and a programmable drone. We would like to thank the Mount Laurel Township for providing the funds to help sustain and broaden the STEM education opportunities at MDOC!
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