Greetings Makers!  

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others and most importantly please provide feedback so that we may tailor each issue to your needs. All inquiries and feedback may be sent to kalyn@educationalliance.org. Happy Making!                   
  
.
WV Maker News 
A Newsletter of The Education Alliance 


Makers Spotlight 
 
by St. Joseph Catholic School

In the spring of 2017, St. Joseph Catholic School launched its XSTR2EAM Center. The facility provides students with a rigorous and highly collaborative, interactive learning environment that is technologically rich and provides extensive means to communicate in a diverse and global setting.  Students learn to develop their 21st Century skills while immersed in a diverse cross-curricular curriculum.
St. Joseph Catholic School also launched their  newest technology in education the zSpace. P re-school through 8 th  grade will experience a revolutionary and inspiring way to explore learning through a hands-on 3D experience.   
Focusing on STEM education and consisting of over 2,500 units, zSpace brings to life in a dynamic and engaging way to teach students concepts in physical science, chemistry, physics, social sciences, mathematics, engineering and the arts.  

Sewing and Embroidery Machines
by Sheacon Linko, STEM VISTA

At Edison Middle School 's Makerspace The STEM Club has introduced basic sewing skills, as well as the concepts of textile assembly. Students created at least  one functional fabric bag and lots of ideas for how to apply their new sewing skills to their future with a lot of fun learning along the way.

To benefit Like Edison you could also add a sewing machine to your makerspace. This can be  easily and affordably done by adding  The Brother Se400 and Se425 are combination sewing and embroidery machines. They are computerized, meaning that you can drop in a design and the machine will physically move a gantry to stitch your pattern into the fabric, much like a plotter. The computerization isn't limited to embroidery as there are also built-in stitches for utility, like button hole stitching at the press of a button. Brother has a great reputation for making sewing machines that are easy to use and reliable. A dding a sewing machine to your makerspace can teach students how to measure, cut fabric with rotary cutters, ironing, basting, and lining up seams.If you have any questions or would like any additional information,  please contact Sheacon Linko  at  sheacon@educationalliance.org .
Innovative Ideas
A pinball machine made with the amazing cardboard Pinbox3000 Makey Makey kit,   Click here for more information. 
Maker Updates      

Grant Opportunities: 

STEM Classroom Grants
FirstEnergy proudly supports classroom projects and teacher professional-development initiatives focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). G rants up to $1,000 are now avalable  for the 2017-2018 school year  click here .  
 
Westinghouse Electric Company
Schools and teachers who want their students to learn more about STEM through a hands-on project should apply for this grant.Three (3) schools will be awarded up to $2,000 to complete a STEM-related project by the end of the school year to apply  click here  to apply.

Remake Learning Days Grant Opportunity
The Education Alliance is offering grants of $250 - $1,000 for schools, districts and non-profit organizations to host an event during Remake Learning Days. Application deadline: January 5, 2018  click here to apply. 

Educator & Professional Opportunities:

K-12 STEM Education programs strive to implement creative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics projects in K-12 classrooms to help foster a healthy understanding of STEM fields among educators and school-age children. Click here for more information. 

An opportunity for teachers to work with scientific researchers, and to apply their research experiences in their classrooms. Click here to  submit a STEM Education application for  a Summer Research Experience.