Brandon Beltz, Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District

Charlevoix, MI

Through the CTE department, Brandon will work with colleagues to develop a mobile makerspace that will serve 11 local school districts and 5,000 students. The mobile makerspace will create the opportunity to do on-site professional development with teachers in computer science and maker education and to create opportunities for students, especially those in the more rural areas of the region to be introduced to maker-oriented technologies.

Tabitha Berger, Floyd County School of Innovation

Martin, KY

Tabitha will collaborate with a fellow engineering teacher to develop a new robotics program as part of the Floyd County School of Innovation’s Automation CTE Pathway. The program will enable students to understand the real-world applications of robotics to solve community-based challenges, with a particular focus on engaging girls and young women.

Megan Hawkins, Shoals Community School

Shoals, IN

Megan will grow the school’s current fabrication lab by developing new programs and adding new technologies. This will include a drone program where students will have the opportunity to code and program drones while learning the practical applications of the technology in their community, including for farming and surveying.

Karie Huttner, Savanna Oaks Middle School

Fitchburg, WI

Karie will leverage several different technologies, including laser cutting and 3D printing to further infuse design thinking into students’ maker learning experiences. Middle school students will have the opportunity to mentor and collaborate with elementary school students in this project.

Pedro Melendrez, Franklin High School

Stockton, CA

Pedro will continue to build out his maker-centered learning classroom, creating a space at the school where all students and faculty can develop new skills and have access to digital fabrication tools and technologies. This includes developing additional collaborations with teachers in other departments who are interested in integrating maker learning into their curriculum.

Tosha Miller, List Elementary

Frankenmuth, MI

Tosha will establish a makerspace at the school which will engage students in a maker-focused introduction and engagement in computer science. The space will be supported through partnerships with local businesses and community-based organizations which are interested in providing mentors, coaches, and technical expertise.

Corey Rice, Daniel Hand High School

Madison, CT

Corey will develop a Fab Lab on-site at the high school, which will create an opportunity for all students to work on a variety of hands-on projects which include physical computing and electronics. Students will have the opportunity to spend time in the Fab Lab through their Independent Project class, which will be required by all students.

Laura Roberts, Northridge Local Schools - Northridge Middle School

Johnstown, OH

Laura will focus on developing a district-wide monthly design challenge for students that combines computer science and engineering. Each grade level in the district will participate in these challenges, which will have a peer mentoring component and will enable the high school students who are involved in the Agriculture, Engineering, Fine Arts, and Business Programs to work together.

Nate Shilcosky, Forest Hills School District

Sidman, PA

Through the district’s elementary STEAM program, Nate will develop a collaborative stop motion animation project that creates opportunities for students to learn about CS, programming and coding, digital arts, as well as video and audio editing. The project will span grades PreK-6, offering a unique opportunity for students across these grades to work together and learn from one another.

Eric York, Tulare Union High School

Tulare, CA

Eric will engage students in solving real-world challenges while learning key computer science concepts through the engineering design process. Activities will include prototyping robotic vehicles and co-designing prosthetics.