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PROJECT NARRATIVE
ABSTRACT
Central City stakeholders recognize the need for highly educated young people who are
interested in pursuing STEM careers, particularly those careers with ties to our local
community. As such, we have a shared vision that calls for STEM opportunities that are
linked to helping students develop rich understandings of important content, think critically,
construct and solve problems, synthesize information, invent, create, and express themselves
proficiently, and leave school prepared to be responsible citizens and lifelong learners. This
vision includes transdisciplinary instruction between our science, engineering, computer
science, mathematics, technology, agriculture, social sciences, and arts teachers, in
cooperation with our local AEA and members of our local community. In order to further our
goals and vision, our district has formed a transdisciplinary cohort of teachers and
administration whose intention is to create a STEAM Makerspace within our district. This
initiative will provide students in preschool through 12th grade with a space to experience
the power of creativity, design, and hands-on building to amplify the raw brilliance of youth
and transform our community. It is our intention for this program to teach rigorous design
iteration, tinkering, applied arts and sciences, and vocational skills to give young people the
creative, technical, and leadership tools necessary to make positive, long-lasting change in
their lives and their communities.
SCOPE OF WORK
we feel the creation of a Makerspace is an essential element to bring our current efforts to
the next level. We seek to create a space that will be available to all students in the district
in grades K-12. We hope to have a variety of robots, drones, makey-makey kits, a green
screen, etc. for students to use. Through professional development experiences and
consulting efforts, we hope to encourage classroom teachers to incorporate the space into
their daily curriculum. In addition, we plan for a space that allows students to experience
core content in cross-pollinated classes. These initiatives are discussed in turn below.
Our committee understands the complexities associated with enhancing a STEAM curriculum
in the K-12 core content classroom. Research indicates that teachers are overwhelmed and
underprepared to teach in such a way that addresses complex content that requires
knowledge and application of science, history, writing, math, etc. - in addition to creativity,
collaboration, and critical thinking. We also know that collaboration between teachers is key
to planning and delivering transdisciplinary content successfully. To this end, we envision
the Makerspace as a space where both faculty and students are enabled to learn and extend
STEAM based projects. Working with our community partners, we will offer professional
development for teachers as to the tools and technology available in the Makerspace and
how to directly apply this tool to current classroom content, effectively cross-pollinating
classroom instruction where teachers are encouraged and supported to develop
transdisciplinary content.
In addition to enhancing our core courses with visits to the Makerspace, our committee also
understands the essential nature of providing a space for students to explore and apply their
core subject learning to design and build student-created STEAM projects. Currently our
district offers a 30-minute daily Opportunity Time. This time is currently utilized to provide
extension activities to students in grades 6-12. Teachers design three-week opportunities
that range from Car Repair to robotics to chess. Resources and space for these projects is
seriously limited. Finding time to plan and collaborate is also limited. It is the hope of this
committee that through the design of a Makerspace we will harness Opportunity Time and
provide students with both the time and tools to explore STEAM content. We understand
that the initial implementation of a Makerspace is difficult. Moving students from a
teacher-centric environment to a student-driven environment often leaves students lost and
unsure of themselves. The purpose of this space is to both move students mindsets from a
fixed state to a growth state, while also providing direction and support from the faculty. To
this end, our first task for the 6-12th grade students will be to design and build STEAM-based
exploration kits from the supplies available in the Makerspace (as identified in the budget)
for the preschool and elementary students to use in the classroom, during recess, and after
school.
Meet with faculty, students, and community to share out/raise awareness of space and
STEAM based curriculum (e.g.: tours of Makerspace)
QUALIFICATIONS
4
The following individuals have committed their time and talents to this project:
Laura Asprey, Science Teacher. Laura is in her 2nd year of teaching with a B.A in
Science
Kiley Baerg, Agriculture Teacher. Kiley is in her first year of teaching. She has a B.A. in
Agriculture and Biological Science. She is also the FFA Advisor.
Stacy Behmer, Grant Wood AEA Technology Consultant. Stacy has been in education
for a decade. She holds a Masters in Mathematics and Spanish. Stacy is currently the
Coordinator of Digital Learning Technology at the Grant Wood AEA.
Katie Delaney, English Language Arts Teacher. Katie has worked in education for six
years. She holds a B.A. in English and Secondary Education. Katie is currently working
on completing her Masters of Arts in School Library Science from the University of
Northern Iowa.
Jessica Kremer, Instructional Coach. Jessica has worked in education for 8 years. She
holds a B.A in Elementary Education and is currently working on her Masters of Science
in Science Education from Montana State University
Erin Marshall, Math Teacher. Erin has worked in education for 5 years. She holds a B.A.
in Math and Math Education and is currently working on her Masters in Educational
Leadership from Drake University (graduating in December). She has been in charge
of Central Citys Hour of Code for the past 3 years and helped start the Computer
Programming class at Central City.
Stephanie Mass, Art Teacher. Stephanie has worked in education for 5 years. She
holds a Bachelor of Art in Art Education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art.
Gretchen Price, Curriculum Director. Gretchen has been in education for 13 years. She
holds and B.A. in Anthropology and a M.S. in Elementary Education. She is currently
working on her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning at the University of Iowa.
Elise van Holsteijn, Music/Band Teacher. Elise has been in education for 3 years. She
holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.
BUDGET
Requested from STEM Council
Personnel Costs (including fringe benefits)
1. Compensation for after school meeting time
$2,944
$2,944
$899.94
$114.99
$13.99
4. iPad Air 2
$379.00
5. 6 Makey-Makey Kits
$299.70
$59.70
$294
$3,530
$1,464.68
$7,056.00
$0
$0
$10,000