Very important - funding!
Lack of funding is often cited as the second barrier to building a MakerSpace; and this is a very real problem. We definitely used some traditional means of raising funds - division and school funds, and grant applications, especially. However, our biggest source of funding surprisingly came from the PTA fundraiser!
Keys to making the fundraiser a success:
1. Commit to focusing the funds on the MakerSpace and start publicizing the vision early on!
2. Create advertisements for the fundraiser and send them out each week leading up to the event. Use students in videos; describe the space; stage models of the space.
Please visit our school website to access photos and videos.
Keys to making the fundraiser a success:
1. Commit to focusing the funds on the MakerSpace and start publicizing the vision early on!
2. Create advertisements for the fundraiser and send them out each week leading up to the event. Use students in videos; describe the space; stage models of the space.
Please visit our school website to access photos and videos.
Other important funding considerations!
Initial purchases:
- Start small with essentials only - your space will change as time goes on. You may need to focus your space on a specific goal (ex. a Lego space, a robotics space) if you have limited space and resources.
- Plan for furniture needs! Locate people who can assist in construction of tables and stools to customize without paying a fortune. If you have publicized your MakerSpace, you may be able to find community and business partnerships who can help with this.
- This space will not organize or run itself. You will need to get creative in the realm of staffing.
- In our case, we have a half-time ETF who took on the role. We also paired her with a paraprofessional who was interested in the focus we were attempting to create, with a strong organizational bent. The schedule was developed to make the most of these two people.
- Depending on how much a role STEAM projects will play in your space, you will need a "slush" fund for consumables.
- Plan for "growth" - your student needs are going to grow, not shrink. You will want to add additional materials as you become aware of student interests.