Donations bring Maker Space to Johnston schools
Three Johnston businesses are infusing five elementary schools with the tools, materials and funding to make exploratory learning a reality.
This month, the Johnston Community School Foundation received donations from DuPont Pioneer, John Deere Financial and Lithia Motors to create and supply Maker Space stations in each of the Johnston Community School District elementary schools. Maker Spaces range from creative spaces to high-tech zones, using everyday materials or elite tools to solve problems and discover a world far away from the typical classroom.
In May, Johnston elementary students attended a daylong Maker Space fair, which encouraged the board to make the experience available at the schools, foundation President Blair Overton said.
DuPont Pioneer and John Deere Financial each gave $10,000; Lithia Motors provided $1,000.
The Maker Space stations come equipped with all sorts of tools for tinkering and creating, such as short-circuit kits, sewing machines, a GoPro camera, Play-Doh products and hand tools.
“The Maker Space stations provide children a unique learning experience that taps into their innate curiosity about their surroundings and how things work,” said Michelle Book, DuPont Pioneer director of community and academic relations. “Through hands-on experimentation, children use their imagination and creativity to explore and discover the world from an entirely new perspective.”
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