Motivation via Makerspace

School:: Highlands Elementary
Subject:: Other
Teacher:: Pete Cade
Students Impacted:: 700
Grade:: K-5
Date:: August 28, 2017

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Nancy Payton - $592.56

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 700

Adding the makerspace activities to my library have truly enhanced the experience for my student visitors. The stations made possible through the grant, provided an added reason to come to the medial center. Whether hanging out during their recess or taking a break to decompress, the makerspace stations were utilized daily and allowed students to explore and create without too many boundaries. I look forward to continuing to add and expand these stations while simultaneously transforming the learning space into one for 21st century learners. The media center is no longer for just read alouds and checking in and out books. The addition of these makerspace stations, makes the purpose of the media center clear for students: opportunities for engagement support learning.

Original Grant Overview

Goal

To provide all students who visit our school's Media Center with an area to explore and create. Adding makerspaces will allow student visitors opportunities to develop critical 21st Century skills in an informal and playful atmosphere. These zones of "self-directed learning" can be powerful hands-on activities to promote inquiry and build creative thinkers.

What will be done with my students

Two to three makerspace stations will be set up in the library each day, with new and varying activities each week. As students visit the library throughout the day, they will be free to utilize the spaces at their leisure. Having at least one space for primary students and one for intermediate students, users will be able to explore grade appropriate activities with leveled directions for use. Each makerspace station requires an array of materials, depending on the task at hand. From wires and batteries to legos and craft-sticks, the results are endless when the mind is enabled to construct without boundaries.

Benefits to my students

Through makerspace activities students build core skills: dexterity, problem-solving, following step-by-self directions, patience and the ability to try new things. Because the makerspace movement supports both the S.T.E.A.M. initiative and education standards, it is a great complement to our school's curriculum. As a Leader in Me school, Highlands Elementary is committed to developing the leaders of tomorrow. The addition of makerspaces will, no doubt, benefit students in enhancing leadership skills which are grounded in solving problems and creativity.

Budget Narrative

This budget illustrates permanent components to the makerspace collection. Teachers and parents will donate consumables to support the learning activities. (i.e. paper cups, construction paper, glue, markers, etc.)

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	KitHub Paper Circuits	$59.00
2	The Big Book of Makerspace Projects	$13.59
3	Little Bits Electronic Gizmos and Gadgets	$134.97
4	Teknikio Activating Origami Set	$24.00
5	K'nex Makers Kit Simple Machines	$99.00
6	Lego Building Baseplates (3)	$50.00
7	Deluxe Lego Set	$62.00
8	Multidrawer Organizers (2)	$150.00
	Total:	$592.56

Please share this page to help in fulfilling this grant.