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Project Goal

To provide all the students at B. C. Graham Elementary School with an opportunity to engage in hands-on, creative, and cooperative activities that merge Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) as well as build literacy and social skills.  

 

How Project Benefits Students

Our library is small. One-third of the space is used for a computer lab, so space is very limited. A dedicated makerspace would not fit. Even storage space for supplies is very limited; however, If we had moveable storage for makerspace supplies, any table in the media center could become a makerspace, or any classroom for that matter.

I have gathered some free and donated supplies- Legos, various arts and crafts materials, etc. to get a makerspace started, and could obtain more if I had a way to store and organize them. This is why my funding request is simple- one mobile storage cart.

As the media specialist, I am in a unique position to collaborate with administration, teachers, resource teachers, and others to plan and coordinate S.T.E.A.M. activities for all grade levels and throughout the year. Any activities would support the standards students are taught in class. The makerspace would also be used to support the school and district-level SLAM (Student Literacy and Media) Showcase where students submit art or video projects based on books they read from the SSYRA (Sunshine State Young Reader Award) lists.

Reams of research data show that schools with libraries and media specialists score higher on standardized tests. Librarians and library programs of course promote literacy, but not just in English language arts. Makerspaces, for example, help build literacy throughout the curriculum. You can help B. C. Graham initiate a makerspace with one simple item- a mobile storage cart for supplies. 

 

Expected Outcome(s)

B. C. Graham has been designated as a Transformation School (https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/Page/4748). We are a Title I school with virtually all of our students receiving free or reduced price lunches. That is why our school is so important in the lives of our students- we can help level the playing field for them. Programs such as a S.T.E.A.M. makerspace contribute to that goal. I expect that all teachers and students at all grade levels will benefit from the enrichment brought by a makerspace, which will help build a culture of collaboration, creativity, and inquiry. While I cannot specifically quantify the outcomes I expect, I believe the makerspace will contribute to overall higher student achievement.  

 

Detailed Cost Summary

I am requesting just one item: a mobile storage cart. The only costs are the cart and the cost to ship it from the manufacturer.  

 

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