MANSFIELD — St. Peter’s Elementary science and computer technology teacher Susan James was pleasantly surprised Thursday afternoon.
Students and staff gathered in the main hallway under the guise of a special prayer service. Little did James know that the assembly was held in her honor, as she has been awarded a CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation Teachers and Technology grant.
The program, which has been offered since 2008, awards grants to schools in CenturyLink’s local service areas on behalf of teachers who have developed specific plans to innovatively implement technology in their classroom.
The grant amount is $4,976.28 under the project name of Make a Difference — Maker Space.
Joe Ragizzine, regional operations manager for CenturyLink, presented James with the check during Thursday’s assembly.
He said CenturyLink’s founder, Clarke M. Williams, created the Clarke M. Williams Foundation to help teachers incorporate technology in the classroom.
James, a degreed engineer who previously taught at Mohican Outdoor School, said colleague Sarah Rizzo mentioned one day last fall that it would be nice to take advantage of the space provided by an empty classroom at the school.
Her comment planted a seed, James said, and in January, she submitted an application for grant funds to transform the empty classroom into a makerspace.
“This makerspace is designed to help us do more STEM,” James said. The makerspace will be called the “Make a Difference Room.”
“I really do in my heart believe that it’s going to make a huge difference for the students here, and for the staff,” James said. “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun learning how to use these different tools and teaching each of you how to do it.
“It will truly touch every student in this building.”
On what to include in the makerspace, James said she wanted it to consist of STEM-related activities and supplies that would engage the students.
“I looked at what we need for curriculum, but also looked at what would be engaging to the students to help them understand how things are put together and built,” she said.
Some of the activities and materials will include Bloxels, a video game builder; Dash & Dot Robots; a Lego wall; and Makey Makey, an electronic invention tool and toy that allows users to connect everyday objects to computer programs.
Students gasped with delight as she listed the different products that will be in the makerspace.
The grant stipulates that the technology and materials should be in place by next school year.
“We’re going to be very busy this summer,” James said.
