Tarkio Elementary, represented by Interim Principal Kari Taylor, left, and teacher Cindy Rolf, right, has received a $4,305 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for additions to the Makerspace in the Innovation Classroom.
Tarkio R-I Elementary School has received a $4,305 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for additions to the Makerspace in the Innovation Classroom. The grant application was based on the goal of increasing the tools and technology available to students at Tarkio Elementary.
The Innovation Class Makerspace is designed to give Tarkio Elementary School children from grades K-6 the opportunity to explore STEM topics in a creative, design-focused environment. This grant will expand and enhance the school’s Makerspace through the addition of materials for building, media creation, wearable technology, and robotics. The grant was written to address four areas in the classroom:
• Enhance technology for digital media – The school will be purchasing 4 iPads, cases and a tripod to use for the Innovations class’s TES-TV broadcasts as well as other multimedia creation projects.
• Lower student-to-technology ratio – This year the school generously purchased several different resources for the students to use in exploring robotics and creating with electronics. The grant will allow the school to purchase more of these resources so the students can work in smaller groups. The class will be adding more Spheros (spherical robots), Lego WeDo 2.0 (Lego robotics for early elementary), Little Bits (electronic building blocks for inventing), and Makey Makeys (invention kits that can control computers).
• Provide wearable technology tools – The school will purchase two sewing machines, storage carts and materials such as LEDs and conductive thread so the students can create textiles including technology.
• Increase building resources – The class will be adding Legos for use in engineering and design projects. In addition to several pounds of Legos, the classroom will have a Lego wall and two small Lego tables.
The additions to the Makerspace will be in place before the 2018-2019 school year begins. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our school. We are so excited to see how this is utilized. Way to go Mrs. Rolf and thank you so much to Lowe’s,” said Shannon Bruns, parent organization officer. Cindy Rolf, Innovations Class teacher, said, “I am so excited about the opportunities this will give our students. I can’t wait for them to see the additions to our Makerspace next year. Thank you to Lowe’s for your generous support of our school.”
All K-12 public schools in the United States are eligible for the Toolbox for Education program. More information is available at www.ToolboxforEducation.com.
