Maker spaces focus on tech
Burgettstown and Canon-McMillan school districts were among 10 in the Pittsburgh region recently selected by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to partner on a fundraising campaign to build technology-focused “maker spaces.”
After winning their bids through an application process last year, both districts launched their Kickstarter.com campaigns this week, with Burgettstown aiming to raise $5,000 on the crowdfunding website, while Canon-McMillan hopes to get $12,000 from community members by the deadline of Nov. 2. The districts hope the maker spaces become a creative, collaborative, hands-on work area for students to apply skills they’re learning in class.
“This campaign is so we can upgrade the middle school library and the elementary science labs to maker spaces … we obtained a STEAM grant from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit through the Bendedum Foundation for $20,000, so it’s not all or nothing for us as it typically is with Kickstarter fundraisers, as we’re looking for the last $5,000 to outfit the rooms with seating, boards and supporting infrastructure,” said Mandi Figlioli, assistant to the Burgettstown superintendent. “Otherwise the grant provided for iPads, robotics and all the circuitry elements.”
Canon-McMillan officials are hoping to raise the full $12,000 to transform a mat room inside Cecil Intermediate into a full-fledged maker space with a 3D printer, video cameras, sewing machines and hand tools.
“No actual ‘plan B,’ but if it doesn’t work out by the deadline, we’ll be proceeding with refurbished items and then trying to do piecemeal fundraising, which will take longer to install the room,” sixth-grade teacher Susie Lavallee said.
All selected schools will show off student projects Oct. 10 and 11 at Maker Faire Pittsburgh on the city’s North Side.
“We’re always looking for ways for students to be more creative and innovative. We already have a technology education program. But beyond that, we haven’t had (any dedicated space and materials) for students to engage on project-based learning,” said Lavallee.
“These spaces (and the projects they build), they aren’t new learning strategies. But in these times of high-stakes testing, hands-on learning isn’t always a focus. This is a way to ensure that’s still part of their education,” said Figlioli.
Children’s Museum officials said the spaces are part of a pilot program to gauge what elements of interactive, open learning spaces are most effective in primary and secondary education.
The fundraising page for Burgettstown can be found at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1611851303/kickstart-making-at-burgettstown-area-school-distr .
The page for the Cecil Intermediate project is www.kickstarter.com/projects/158298283/dream-design-create-and-dream-some-more.