Our Mission

We bring Maker Centered Learning experiences to schools and community organizations through classroom visits, coaching for educators, workshops with children or adults, assisting with community events and projects, and assisting in developing spaces and culture for such activities. We help build capacity so that eventually they will not need our help. The Uplands Maker Mobile is loaded with a suite of maker tools : 3D printers, laser cutter, vinyl cutters, sewing machines, robotics, and electronics, as well as a variety of materials and some basic shop tools. Our Maker Education Specialist has over 25 years of K-12 education experience.

Why

These type of experiences foster curiosity, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, innovation, problem solving. They help develop resilience, flexibility, agility, and empathy. Making activates multiple parts of the brain at the same time, giving multiple anchor points for learning to “stick.” Maker projects are naturally cross curricular and more engaging as they have “outside the classroom” applications. This style of learning, though not new, is not widely practiced. Educators need help learning the pedagogy as well as the tools and materials. Parents need to see it in action to support it in their schools and with their children at home. Maker experiences are great social and emotional regulators.

Success Stories

	In partnership with the Maker Mobile, we were able to host our first COSMOS Maker Camp. This event provided 45 students in grades 3-5 from Mitchell, Orleans, and Shoals schools the opportunity to explore digital fabrication, analog making, and STEM in Agriculture. Paul’s willingness to engage with us partnered with the tools and equipment in the Maker Mobile are an important piece in the continued growth of making in our region. (Apryl Kidd, COSMOS Director)
	The Uplands Maker Mobile and Paul have been phenomenal resources for our teachers and our students at Linton-Stockton! Paul has helped our middle school and high school teachers in the summer to train them on how to use tools. He has also helped with our after school club teaching K-5 kids how to code, and helped kindergarten teachers in the classroom with engaging MakerSpace activities! We love the Maker Van and Paul! (Susan Anderson, Academics Programs Coordinator)
	Peden Farms has an annual Children’s Festival for over 2000 k-2 students (plus chaperones). They get a farm tour and hands on explorations with a variety of exhibitors. At our booth, they got to see 3D printing in action and ask about it, play a pumpkin piano, and create something with pipe-cleaners and craft sticks (usually a butterfly or bug).
	“BEST DAY EVER” {after using some new tools and making a prototype of a new sleigh for Santa} (McCormick’s Creek elementary student)
	“We are lucky to have Paul come to our classroom because he has a lot of experience and a lot of fun equipment like the 3-D printer and the Glowforge and he makes learning about science fun. Way better than watching the videos.” (Lakeview Elementary 5th grader)

Everyone is a #Maker

To learn more about us or to connect with us :

MyMachine :
This project involves having elementary students design Dream Machines that are then refined by Indiana University students and then built by high school students in a vocational program in Wisconsin before being returned to the elementary students. This is our third year running this project and we seek to expand this nationally to increase the number of youth participants as well as our support for the educators.

Accessible Robotics :
There are many robotics programs available for youth to participate in, but many of them are expensive and benefit from mentors with engineering expertise. We are working to prototype electronics that can lower the barriers to entry by creating robotics kits that are a fraction of the cost of more common platforms, minimize technical knowledge needed to get started, and a series of events that champion solutions to real-life problems rather than abstract challenges.

Girls Build :
In a handful of outreach events, we have had great success getting girls engaged in using tools (drill, hammer) to build. We seek funding to expand these opportunities through purchasing more equipment and materials to allow this to become a regular offering for larger groups of youth.