Zoe David

LLT 530
Core Assignment

PART 1

Dear Lehighton Area School District School Board,

A makerspace is a place where students are free to explore, invent, innovate,
create, and develop skills in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Math (STEAM). It is an environment where students’ creativity is fostered and their
critical thinking skills are developed. It is a place where students can freely explore and
create without following the set instructions that are prevalent in every aspect of their
lives.
The Lehighton Elementary Center was designed to have a makerspace, but that has
evolved into a room that is only used by kindergarten classes for dramatic play. I propose
that this area, or another comparable area, is made into a makerspace classroom for all
students at the Elementary Center to use. We need to provide our students with more
STEAM opportunities, so that they can compete in the ever changing workplace
environment as is declared in our district mission statement, “gives all students the
opportunity to achieve their fullest personal and potential for lifelong learning in order to
become productive and responsible citizens.”
In the attached proposal, I have detailed many aspects of the proposed makerspace
including acquired equipment, requested materials, a philosophy for use, program ideas
and a proposed budget. We have a great deal of materials that are already available, and
with a little funding, our makerspace will be a center of innovation in the Lehighton Area
Elementary School.
In conclusion, I ask that you consider designating appropriate funds to the
installation of this greatly needed makerspace that will serve our students for years to
come.

Sincerely,

Zoe David
3-5 Life Skills Teacher
zdavid@lehighton.org
Part 2:

District Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Lehighton Area School

District, in partnership with family and community, to provide a safe, healthy and
nurturing environment that gives all students the opportunity to achieve their
fullest personal and potential for lifelong learning in order to become productive
and responsible citizens.

Makerspace Mission Statement: It is the mission of the Lehighton Area

Elementary Center Makerspace, in partnership with families and the communities,
to provide a collaborative environment where students are free to explore, invent,
innovate, create, and develop skills in the areas of Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).

Philosophy for use: Ideally, the makerspace would be a combination of both the
open and workshop models. If possible, there would be a dedicated staff
member(s) that could teach workshop classes and provide assistance as needed
during open sessions. I see this as a “specials” class as well as a place that teachers
can reserve for use. I would also like to have materials that teachers can “rent” that
can be taken out into individual classrooms for classes or individual students to
use.I want to have a variety of materials including iPads, Dot and Dash robots,
circuits, coloring materials, a variety of paper, clay, playdough, recycled materials,
fabric, glue, sewing supplies, and other miscellaneous craft supplies.
Due to financial constraints, I would start this makerspace as a “low-tech”
makerspace. I would try to gain sponsors and donations from the community and
local businesses to be able to gather materials.
I think it is important to have an area in the makerspace that is dedicated to
projects that students are working on. The addition of this area will allow students
to take part in more in-depth projects without feeling rushed, and this will allow
their creativity to flourish.

Potential Partners:
● Lehighton Area Memorial Library
 ● Lehighton Area High School specials classes (Metal and Woodshop and art
classes)
● Technology department

Policy Considerations:

● Scheduling workshops/reserving sessions and materials

○ Use of google form
● Staff coverage and training
○ Provide professional development through the IU or other sources
during PD days
○ Additional teacher hired or use of free periods of specials teachers to
monitor makerspace
○ Visiting “teachers” to teach workshops/classes
● Safety Procedures
○ Safety procedures will be discussed and displayed throughout the
year. An adult will always be present. All students’ guardians will
sign a waiver at the beginning of the year.

Location:

The Lehighton Area Elementary Center has a "makerspace", but it has now
turned into a dramatic play area for the kindergarten classes. I would love to see
the room be used as a true makerspace or another room used instead. Teachers
can take out the makerspace equipment to use in their own classrooms, but we
no longer have the ability to go to a dedicated room. We do have a few empty
classrooms that could be used as a makerspace, as long as enrollment doesn't
increase.

Resources/Funding:

● In the makerspace and school, we have Dot and Dash, Chromebooks,

iPads, magnatiles, Legos, construction paper, various craft supplies,
books, brain flakes, brain teasers, and a few other odds and ends.
 ● Many of our staff members have experience with STEAM. Parents and
students could also be a valuable asset. Our local library has a
makerspace, so the employees and patrons there are also solid resources.
● Fundraisers, grants, Donors Choose, private donations, and
corporate/business donations could be utilized. Using materials that are
already in the school/district would be essential.

Budget:

Program 1:

Material Quantity Price

Magnatiles 4 $520
Metropolis

Magnatiles 100 Piece 3 $357

Set

Paper already
acquired

Pencils, Crayons, already

Colored Pencils, acquired
Markers

Legos 5 $215

Rulers 60 Pack $15

Chromebooks already
acquired

Total: $1,107
Program 2:

Material Quantity Price

Beads 3 $30

Friendship Making 5 $150

String

Clay beads 5 $100

Rainbow Loom 3 $75

Bracelet Making Kit

Extra Loom bands 2 $26

Total: $381

Program 3:

Material Quantity Price

Modeling clay 3 $54

Natural Clay 2 (20 lbs each) $56

Model Magic 2 white and 2 neon $96

Markers 1 $40

Pottery Wheel 3 $174

Acrylic Paint 3 $36

Paintbrushes 1 per student (25) already acquired

Total: $456
Program 4:

Material Quantity Price

Strawbees 1 $599

Scissors 25 already acquired

Total: $599

Staff: If new staff member is hired to run the makerspace, add an additional
$43,000.

Makerspace Total: $2,543

PART 3:

Program 1: Building Design with Legos and MagnaTiles

Description- Students will use Legos and MagnaTiles to create buildings found
within their community and buildings or monuments of historical significance.
They will also have the opportunity to construct a building of their own design.
They can also use paper, drawing utensils, and measuring devices to draw their
designs on paper. Students can also use these ideas to create futuristic
buildings, dream houses, or other designs that correspond to their classroom
lessons.

Justification- This program helps students to develop critical thinking skills and
mathematical skills. Students will also learn to become persistent and willing to
change their ideas. This program will allow students to think critically about
their environment and ways to enhance building structures. Students will also
be able to see how building structures have changed over time. Mathematical
skills in the areas of geometry and measurement are also strengthened through
this program.

PA Standards:

Standard - 3.4.3.E7 Recognize that people live, work, and go to school in

buildings which are different types of structures.

Standard - 8.2.2.B Identify important buildings, statutes, and monuments

associated with the state’s history.

Standard - CC.2.4.3.A.1 Solve problems involving measurement and estimation

of temperature, liquid volume, mass or length.

Equipment:

Material Quantity Price

Magnatiles 4 $520
Metropolis

Magnatiles 100 Piece 3 $357

Set

Paper already
acquired

Pencils, Crayons, already

Colored Pencils, acquired
Markers

Legos 5 $215

Rulers 60 Pack $15

Chromebooks already
acquired

Essential Personnel:

● General education teacher

● Makerspace director/teacher

Program 2: Jewelry Making

Description: Students will use a variety of materials to make a multitude of

different jewelry items including pins, bracelets, necklaces, etc.

Justification: Students can learn about patterns, construction ideas, and

mathematical concepts. They can also use problem solving skills to ensure that
the the jewelry piece is designed and sized correctly.

Standard - AL.2.K.D1 Recognize and create simple patterns.

Standard - AL.2.1.D1 Recognize and create increasingly complex patterns.

Standard - AL.2.2.D1 Recognize and create increasingly complex patterns.

Standard - 9.1.3.E Demonstrate the ability to define objects, express emotions,

illustrate an action or relate an experience through creation of works in the arts.

Equipment:

Quantity Price
Material
Beads 3 $30

Friendship Making 5 $150

String

Clay beads 5 $100

Rainbow Loom 3 $75

Bracelet Making Kit

Extra Loom bands 2 $26

Personnel:

● Classroom Teacher
● Makerspace director/teacher

Program 3: Pottery
Description: Students will use clay, a pottery wheel, and paint to create a
variety of projects. Classes will be offered, but students will also have free time
to explore and create. Students will also have access to model magic and
markers if they would like to use it instead or use it to practice.

Justification: Students will use problem solving and construction skills to

construct their projects. Elements of geometry and art can also be incorporated.
Students can learn about ceramics from different points in history and try to
recreate them as well.

Standard - CC.2.3.K.A.2

Analyze, compare, create, and compose two- and three-dimensional shapes.

Standard - 9.2.3.A

Explain the historical, cultural and social context of an individual work in the
arts.

Standard - 9.1.3.H

Handle materials, equipment and tools safely at work and performance spaces.

Standard - 9.1.3.A

Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in
the arts and humanities.

Standard - 9.1.3.E Demonstrate the ability to define objects, express emotions,

illustrate an action or relate an experience through creation of works in the arts.

Equipment:

Quantity Price
Material

Modeling clay 3 $54

Natural Clay 2 (20 lbs each) $56

Model Magic 2 white and 2 neon $96

Markers 1 $40

Pottery Wheel 1 3 $174

Acrylic Paint 3 $36

Paintbrushes 1 per student (25) already acquired

Personnel:
 ● Classroom Teacher
● Makerspace director/teacher
● Pottery Instructor

Program 4: Strawbees
Description: Students will use Strawbees to create 3D shapes, buildings, story
scenes, and more.

Justification: Students will use problem solving and construction skills to

construct their projects. Geometry, history, architecture, and reading
comprehension can all be incorporated into Strawbees lessons. Students will
also be given free to time to pursue their own designs.

Standard - CC.2.3.K.A.2

Analyze, compare, create, and compose two- and three-dimensional shapes.

Standard - CC.1.2.2.G

Explain how graphic representations contribute to and clarify a text.

Standard - 9.2.3.A

Explain the historical, cultural and social context of an individual work in the
arts.

Standard - 9.1.3.A

Know and use the elements and principles of each art form to create works in
the arts and humanities.

Standard - 9.1.3.E Demonstrate the ability to define objects, express emotions,

illustrate an action or relate an experience through creation of works in the arts.

Equipment:
 Quantity Price
Material

Strawbees 1 $599

Scissors 25 already acquired

Personnel:

● Classroom Teacher
● Makerspace director/teacher