Makerspace & Multimedia Production

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Jonathon Levin
Grant Co-applicants
Brian Kehoe
School Site
Alder Creek Middle School
Grant Category
Art/ Music
Career Technical Education (CTE)
Technology
Grant Date
2026-06-09T12:00:00
Description

The goal of this grant is to evolve the Alder Creek Middle School Tech Lab from a primarily digital workspace into a comprehensive Makerspace to foster hands on creativity and exploration. While our current curriculum introduces students to 3D printing and robotics, this initiative provides the "missing links" required for a full design-thinking cycle: physical prototyping, mobile multimedia production, and basic electronic integration.

By adding iPads for high-quality video production and tactile tools for cardboard construction and circuitry, we shift from a "screens-only" model to a more innovative "hands-on first" approach. This ensures our curriculum moves toward higher-level applications of engineering and media literacy, preparing students for roles that don’t currently exists.

Benefits of Program

This grant will benefit all students in the ACES rotations, reaching approximately 300 students annually. Additionally, we are working on the schedule to reopen the tech lab as a makerspace (or Fabrication Lab) where students can go during lunch. Having these resources for creative play and exploration will expand the opportunities for students to engage with engineering, programming, arts and other STEAM disciplines. 

Through collaboration with SWEP and other community organizations, we will primarily have students working with upcycled materials. This will additionally raise students environmental awareness as we will be repurposing material that was intended for the landfill to create projects. 

Mr. Kehoe would be able to continue to offer his 6th grade video production course which would equip students with 21st century skills in video production, collaboration, project management and working with green screens.

Success of Program

Success of the program is most evident when students are trained with a foundational understanding of appropriate use of the materials and tools we make available to them and find opportunities to incorporate these resources into their other academic and personal projects.

Students will use these tools to complete assigned projects in their ACES courses such as building sculptures and contraptions or engineering mobile artworks. They will integrate various tools to engage in play, exploration, experimentation, design and refinement.

Students will be inclined to pursue community based opportunities to continue their learning such as enrolling in CTE courses in High School, reaching out to the Library or Roundhouse to access their makerspace supplies, or working with other community partners to take their foundational understanding to a higher level. 

Implementation

The Video Production component of this will continue to be introduced in Mr. Kehoe's 6th Grade ACES. While the MakeSpace "zones" would be taught during student ACES periods, which could replace the current 6th grade Tech Lab robotics that are aging out. Additionally, lunchtime access would be open so students could work on projects and use the supplies in a flexbile (and supervised) manner during their recess time.

Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

Yes, these supplies and tools could be used to further support social studies and science teachers when they assign hands on projects. Tools could be loaned to other classrooms or we could do "classroom" swaps so that teachers could bring their whole class to the makerspace.

Sustainability
This grant will help us to make large investments in materials and tools. Materials and consumables can be purchased with classroom budgets and AA funding. Additionally, PTO grants can be used to help supplement any repairs or replacements that may arise during the lifespan of the tools purchased.

This grant will allow us to extend the life of our existing video production course as the current iPads will no longer be supported due to security risks as they are no longer receiving updates from Apple.
Amount Funded
$3400.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$5000 - 12x iPads for Tech Lab + Video Production
$400 - Cardboard Construction - Canary Sissors and Retractable Saws
$400 - Hot Glue Station - Glue Sticks, Silicone Mats, Glue Guns, Power Supplies
$400 - Electronics/Tinkering - Wires, Motors, Alligator Clips, Foil, LEDs, Resistors, Servos, Paperclips, Pushpins, Various Tape
Shipping
$0.00
Taxes
$0.00
Other funding sources

This grant will help us to make large investments in materials and tools. Materials and consumables can be purchased with classroom budgets and AA funding. Additionally, PTO grants can be used to help supplement any repairs or replacements that may arise during the lifespan of the tools purchased.

This grant will allow us to extend the life of our existing video production course as the current iPads will no longer be supported due to security risks as they are no longer receiving updates from Apple. 
 

File Uploads
Apple Proposal- 2111923493-ACMS (1).pdf (32.19 KB)
Sample Amazon Items.pdf (408.25 KB)
Notes

iPad prices have included a buffer as prices on electronics have been rising recently.

Amazon Shopping Cart is a sample of possible items that may be included to develop each of the stations.

Video Production has all the supplies they need, however the iPads are in need of replacements.