295 Organizations and Partners Step Up to Support Maker Centered Learning through Citizen Schools’ Make For All Initiative
Corinne Hill, Chattanooga Public Library Director welcomes participants and shares more about the Library’s efforts to broaden access to making experiences.
On June 14th, the Make For All initiative led by Citizen Schools announced more than 50 commitments- new partnerships, initiatives and programs in support of maker-centered learning. These commitments will reach more than 768,000 students over the next three years and span across 149 communities. Organizations and partners making commitments include K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, companies, makerspaces, museums, libraries, non-profit organizations and cities.
Sean Kelley of United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative talks about their work in Cincinnati Public Schools.
To showcase and celebrate these commitments, a large number of commitment making organizations, educators and thought leaders in maker-centered learning from around the country gathered in Chattanooga, TN for the Make For All Announcements Event, which took place at the 4th Floor of the Chattanooga Library. The event coincided with NOMCON, the national Maker community leadership conference.
During the event, participants had a chance to hear from an amazing panel of youth makers who were joined in conversation with maker Adam Savage of Tested.com, Mythbusters Jr., Mythbusters and author of Every Tool's a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It. Individuals representing the following organizations announcing commitments were recognized and shared more details about their work: Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, UTeach Maker, Maker Ed, Conservation X Labs, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship and Project Invent.
Earlier that same day, Make For All, National League of Cities and Nation of Makers co-organized the Maker Mayors Collaboratory, which focused on the role that policy and local government can play in supporting maker-centered learning and other maker-related efforts which support local economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation. This convening brought together mayors and local government officials with leaders of the Maker community to discuss the ways that they can continue to work together on these efforts.
17-year old Chattanooga artist and maker Madeline Fazio (right) created this amazing piece which represents her interpretation of what Make For All means to her. Pictured here with Stephanie Santoso (left), Director of Maker Initiatives, Citizen Schools.
Moving forward, Make For All will work closely with its Advisory Council to support organizations to make progress on their commitments. This includes hosting monthly Make For All community calls that will take place the third Tuesday of every month from 4-5 p.m. ET/ 1-2 p.m. PT. The first call will take place on Tuesday July 23rd. To participate, please register here.