Generator, Burlington’s Makerspace, launches VT MakerSchools initiative with $365,000 from US Department of Education as part of Omnibus Appropriations Act
Vermont Business Magazine Generator, Burlington's premiere makerspace, has just launched the innovative VT MakerSchools Program thanks to $365,000 from the US Department of Education granted as part of former Senator Patrick Leahy’s congressionally-directed spending request in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2022. This significant allocation allows Generator to support the buildout of makerspaces in 6 rural Vermont secondary schools, provide makerspace professional development to Vermont educators, and establish a dedicated classroom at Generator to serve as a model learning space for both efforts.
“Vermont has a critical need to expand opportunities in STEAM education and workforce development in manufacturing, prototyping, and innovative technologies. This program represents a significant investment in Vermont’s future. We’re extremely thankful to the US Department of Education for supporting this critical work, and for former Senator Leahy and his office for advocating for our project in Congress,” said Meg Hammond, Executive Director of Generator.
The VT MakerSchools program is a three year initiative to support selected schools across the state to develop, implement, and sustain makerspace programs to meet the following goals: (1) increase access to emerging technologies and STEAM education; (2) provide professional development training for Vermont educators on makerspace tech; (3) build pathways to post-secondary opportunities for high school graduates; and (4) provide greater access for rural communities to high-paying jobs in technical fields.
The first phase of the project outfitted and established a dedicated makerspace classroom at the Generator facility, complete with laser cutters, 3D printers, a CNC router, a vinyl cutter, and a computer lab with advanced 3D design software. This space will serve as a model classroom and will support ongoing professional development for Vermont educators.
Generator launched the program this spring with six partner schools:
Bellows Falls Union High School
Harwood Union Middle High School
Hazen Union School
Main Street Middle School
White River Valley Middle School
Williston Central School
Angela Selvaggio, a teacher from Harwood Union Middle High School, said about the program, “Access to a makerspace creates opportunities to develop a student’s skills and experience, spark a personal interest, and even foster a desire to explore career pathways previously not considered. Teachers are already having conversations about how a makerspace within a school building can shift and elevate the learning experiences for our students. We look forward to working with the experts at Generator to make this happen for our students!”
On June 22 MakerSchool partners convened at Generator to connect with fellow colleagues, explore the makerspace, and establish a learning community made up of educators, principals, superintendents, and school board members.
“VT MakerSchools understand that makerspaces build a community of learners that share knowledge, think critically about complex problems, and design creative solutions through experimentation. We’re excited to be able to foster this community of like-minded learners from across the state,” said Veronica Newton, Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships.
The Chair of the Generator Board’s Education Committee and President of the Stern Center for Language and Learning, Dr. Laurie Quinn, shared: “The team at Generator has strategically identified the powerful ways we can help to build and sustain Vermont’s future workforce. Our Board is thrilled to collaborate with partners and supporters who see what’s possible when workforce investment, the creative entrepreneurship community, and Vermont’s talented teachers and deserving students come together to co-design that future.“
More information about Generator, Inc. can be found at www.generatorvt.com. For more information about Generator’s VT MakerSchools Program, please visit: https://generatorvt.com/programs/vt-makerschools/
Source: 7.25.2023. BURLINGTON, VT — Generator generatorvt.com
