What was donated?

Furniture to Outfit the MakerSpace Room

What will this donation be used for?

The space is utilized by the middle school teachers/students (approximately 35/450). It is a signed out lab space for creating, cooking and building.

Describe or tell us a little more about the program, project or classroom the donation was for?

The MakerSpace Classroom is a spot in the school where classrooms, teachers and school clubs meet regularly.

Here are a few examples:

• A music class signing out the space during the day and utilizing the craft materials to build a “recycled materials” instrument project
• An after school broadcast club storyboarding a future filming project
• A special education teacher utilizing the space to have her students work in the room baking. They have stations for them to measure ingredients, mix and prepare.
• The STEM teacher will utilize the space to work on her bridge building project. The teams of students will spread out and construct.
• The Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) will run teacher training in that room for the staff when rolling out new software.

If this is a multi-phased project please provide us with anticipated milestone dates.

Once the furniture arrives, the maintenance crew will assemble. We have received one shipment (Round Tables) but the main workbenches are slated for shipment in March. I would estimate that we would have the project complete by May.

Why did you participate in SFRC, who nominated the school and why?

I work in a wonderfully “rich” community. I use the term rich not as a monetary term but rather refer to it in these three areas. We have a group of students who are thirsty and eager for good experiences. We have a parent community that is very resourceful and generous with their donations. I work with some dedicated teachers that make “ lemonade out of lemons”. If you place that trifecta together, I consider NMS a perfect candidate for this donation.

How will the donation impact the quality of your program, project, learning for students, and/or spaces?

This new furniture will be the last piece of the MakerSpace classroom. It will allow for groups to meet in a professional space and be creative together. It will bring pride to our building and validate the constructivism mindset we try to foster.

What is the timeline for the project, start, milestones, and completion ?

Northbridge has received all donations and project implementation should be completed end of April early May.