Past projects 2
Library Makerspace: Inspiring Innovators
Funded Aug 25, 2016As our Holiday season begins, I would like to take this time to express my gratitude for your generosity and support in my endeavors to make my students' days a little brighter. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support in helping the Ryan 216 middle school students bring their creations to life. The funds that you donated have allowed us to purchase art, building and technology supplies that are used in the Library Makerspace during Open Access lunch periods. The skills my students are gaining through hands on experience not only allows them to explore their creativity, but helps prepare them for their futures in various job fields. Students are learning that there is value in working with their hands, and that success is not only measured by the number grades they receive on their tests. Students that are learning English as a new language are communicating with their peers and students who struggle socially are finding ways to connect with their classmates. Your generosity has provided these kids with hands-on opportunities to critically problem solve and engage in the design process.
Without your help, my students would never have these enriching resources. Without donors like you, hundreds of students wouldn't have the opportunity to explore a topic they felt passionately about (like robotics or pixel art) because their families are unable to afford the resources. I'm doing all that I can to make a difference in these kids' daily lives, to make them feel safe, inspired, and challenged. I wouldn't be able to do that without someone like you.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Stewart
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 9 other donors.Library Maker Space
Funded Feb 6, 2015Thank you so much for your generous donation! The students at Ryan Middle School are absolutely thrilled with the newest addition to our Library Media Center. Your funds allowed us to purchase art and building materials that students can use to explore their creativity during their Lunch Period. Our "Maker Space" has already proved to be a success!
Middle school students are swamped with stress from standardized testing and the newly implemented Common Core Learning Standards. It has been a great pleasure to watch the students' excitement about spending their lunch period in the Library Media Center. One student even said, "This is so much fun! I love spending my lunch period here, because I can relax and make whatever I want. It's kind of like preschool, like I'm not worried about next period because all I'm doing is creating right now." As word spreads through the school, more and more students are coming to see for themselves how much fun the Library is!
Each month students are presented with two challenges. This month we started off slowly with origami bookmarks and 3D Lego Mosaics. Next month students will be using the donated materials to create their own wallets and be challenged to build a structure that is capable to withstand against several elements. Your donation has provided these students with a chance to use their imagination in order to create something of meaning. Thank you again for your belief in the importance of both libraries and creative freedom!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Stewart