Bringing Communities Together: How Maker Fellows Create a Resounding Impact Locally and Globally
“Having a group of likeminded people accomplish the same goal of reinventing education is what drives me in my work on a daily basis.”
Tom Cappelletti (Makerspace Director for Sacramento City College), Michelle, and two of their student staff: Christian Espinoza and Humberto G. Rodriguez Jimenez (left to right).
AmeriCorps Maker Fellows, through service in their local communities and participation in targeted professional development, become future leaders and champions of maker-centered learning and mentorship for under-served students. This could not be more true of second-year Fellow, Michelle Zamora, serving at the Sacramento City College Makerspace in Sacramento, CA. A native of Sacramento herself, Michelle is also an alumni of Sacramento City College, where her passion for the Maker Movement community began.
“I got involved in the Maker Movement because I was taking a studio class with one of my instructors at Sac City,” said Michelle. “There was a grant out for California Community College Maker...which allowed for California Community Colleges to create Maker Spaces at their sites. My school applied and won a two-year grant to build a Maker Space on campus. I was wholly involved in that process. We converted two classrooms into Maker Spaces...and it was all student run. We were able to build a really strong community there.”
As a second-year Fellow with Makers + Mentors Network (M+MN), Michelle has high hopes for what impact she can continue to make on her community and beyond, especially with the support of the staff at her host site and the M+MN team. “This year, I hope to expand the Maker Movement on a global level,” said Michelle. “One of the reasons we can expand the impact and do this is because of the support of the faculty members. They are fully onboard and understand the mission that Making is for everyone.”
Michelle’s global project, a Solar Cooker, was backed by her entire school community, and the M+MN. “This project really brought everyone together, including Global Makers from around the world. We were specifically talking about one thing—the Solar Cooker—as a means to provide STEAM education and community development and a way for people to feed themselves using the sun as a natural resource. The end product is food...which ultimately brings whole communities together.”
Mary Chepkemei from Eldoret, Kenya uses Michelle’s Solar Cooker, which includes a pot and a heat retention basket cooker.
Sebastian Byers, Program Experience Manager with M+MN shares equally in the excitement around Michelle and her ongoing initiative. “Michelle's project really affirms the power of our program model.” said Byers. “AmeriCorps Maker Fellows build capacity for their host sites, bringing to these sites creative thinking and impact-driven solutions for local and global communities. We are very proud of Michelle's leadership in the development of the solar cooker and the community that is forming around the use of these cookers.”
When asked about Michelle’s driving force in the work she does, she speaks to the like-mindedness of her community, working together for the same purpose. “I love when people are passionate about what they do. And when you’re watching these people from around the world, it brings you connectivity...and it reminds you that you are more similar than different.”
Michelle’s maker project, and the global community she’s built through her journey as a Fellow, speaks volumes of the tireless work of our service members. They are truly bringing communities together, providing new opportunities to those in need and closing the equity gap for maker-centered learning. Thank you, Michelle!
Join us in building a community that helps to level the playing field for all students interested in STEM/STEAM. Here you can find more information on our Maker Fellows or how to become a Host Site.
About Makers + Mentors Network
The Makers + Mentors Network (M+MN) is a STEM initiative of Citizen Schools and advances its mission through three primary models: National Community of Practice, Make For All, and Maker Fellows. Since 2014, the team has worked toward uplifting STEM mentoring and through the addition of Make For All and Maker Fellows, supporting maker-centered learning.