Dozens of teachers toured the hands-on gismos and gadgets that make up the Kern County Museum’s “Maker Annex” before the facility opens to children on Tuesday.

Jackie Brouillette is the education director at the museum and said the educators liked what they saw Thursday night, which was made possible by a $52,000 grant from Chevron.

“Sometimes, you think ‘This is go great!’ and it doesn’t show through,” she said. “But the teachers here are so excited about it.”

She said the room at the Lori Brock Center, ultimately, will give kids a place to construct and invent – somewhat like a children’s version of the Fab Lab at Cal State-Bakersfield.

“We’re training the kids how to make so that they can move on to that college level,” she said.

The facility lets kids play with science, robotics and construction toys, and also houses a 3-D printer and a computerized vinyl-cutter. It was inspired by a similar facility at the Children’s Museum of Houston.

– Anthony Pollreisz