"Makerspaces are zones of self-directed learning. Their hands-on character, coupled with the tools and raw materials that support invention, provide the ultimate workshop for the tinkerer and the perfect educational space for individuals who learn best by doing." - Educause
Our library is the hub of the school.
With the motto of "You Belong Here", it is a space for students to just be themselves. It is far from being a depository of books, but instead is an area to learn, share, produce, and create. It is a place of student-directed learning.
Our middle school serves approximately 900 students in a 6th-8th grade building. In the last five years, the number of students receiving Free and Reduced lunches has tripled. Our school encourages students to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and all students in 7th and 8th grade are provided an iPad to support their learning throughout the school day. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, with 13 different languages being represented.
At all assessed grade levels, our standardized test scores are consistently well above state and national averages. Our middle school earned a score of 96 for our building level academic score, the highest among all public schools in the county.
My Project
My students need LEGO baseplates to begin our Creativity Corner and LEGO wall in our library makerspace. Our library is transforming into an innovation lab. Students are provided with a wonderful education and need to be given the opportunity to be creators. Instead of just consuming information, our students need the opportunity to be producers.
Many large companies have LEGO walls to encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. Because students can use LEGOs regardless of age, language, or academic success, it will be the perfect addition to our school community.
With an assortment of LEGOs to accompany our wall, students will have the ability to display their creativity without rules or guidelines. Students can truly build whatever their heart desires. They will have the ability to collaborate with others to design and build their creations.
"Thousands, if not tens of thousands, of scientists have worked on challenges for over fifty years and still cannot learn as much as a two-year-old who is learning by playing!" - The Philosophy of Educational Makerspaces
By giving our students a chance to tinker with LEGOs we can prepare them to be the engineers, inventors and scientists of the 21st Century.
The LEGO wall will also be motivation to draw reluctant readers into the library, and may act as a gateway to improving our students literacy. Students will partake in learning and critical thinking without boundaries, grades, or set expectations. They will have the opportunity to collaborate and share their learning with all of the students in our school.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Lister and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
