Boeing presents the Clear Creek Education Foundation with a $100,000 grant to fund Makerspaces at all 10 CCISD intermediate schools. Pictured, from left, are CCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith, Boeing Global Engagement official Dayni Alba, Boeing ISS Program Manager and Houston Site Leader Mark Mulqueen and Clear Creek Education Foundation Executive Director Deborah Laine.
The Boeing Company: Houston, has generously awarded The Clear Creek Education Foundation a $100,000 grant to expand Makerspaces at all 10 intermediate schools in the Clear Creek Independent School District, making it the largest grant awarded in this region by Boeing.
Makerspaces are the center of innovation and these hands-on centers will expose students to subject matter that is typically taught in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) classes at the secondary level. The labs are specially designed to accommodate the needs of students taking on the challenge of learning cutting edge technology and engineering skills.
Libraries have always been the place to get a book, do research and spend time reading in quiet place. Today’s libraries still have those areas, but now with so much more. When you walk into CCISD libraries you see exploration, collaboration and creation. Students are utilizing 3D printers to create prototypes, leading classes and groups on robotic component design, Minecraft and coding. Students are flying drones, composing music on digital audio systems and using green screens to illustrate content knowledge such as scientific processes and animation.
School libraries have been transitioning from the “traditional” library to these learning commons and CCEF has been an instrumental partner in transforming these libraries. In the last three years, CCEF has funded 17 grants in variety of forms to teachers and students either developing or enhancing Makerspaces at their campus, totaling over $54,000 and impacting over 22,000 students each year.
Skills such as creation, exploration and innovation have now become part of state and national standards making the growing demand of these learning hubs apparent in CCISD. Funding from Boeing will provide Makerspace tools in all 10 intermediate schools focusing on the following concepts: Design and Production, Coding/Robotics and Real-World Challenges.
“Clear Creek ISD proves daily the success they’re having educating our kids. When community leaders, like The Boeing Company, share our vision to provide innovation, then we’ve all done our work,” CCEF Executive Director Deborah Laine said. “We’re fortunate to have such a strong bond and shared vision with our community partners.”
“CCISD’s innovative Makerspaces put STEAM concepts in action by providing experiential learning for students,” said Dayni Alba, Boeing Global Engagement. “We’re excited to partner with CCEF to bring more Makerspaces to their schools and inspire students to explore cutting-edge technology.”
