This the final installment in our four part series- Black History Month of Making where we’re sharing some of our favorite maker moments and projects inspired by Black creators, makers, scientists, and inventors. Remember to let us know how you enjoyed these Black History Maker projects and show off what you made. #GVMakes
As we move from Black History Month into Women’s History Month, we present a Maker Challenge Mashup inspired by two Black women pioneers in the field of aviation and aerospace. Bessie Coleman & Mae Jemison broke barriers and changed ideas about what was possible for Black women. What do you dream about doing or becoming? Keep going after what you want and who knows how high you’ll fly.!
Click the poster ⬇ to print or download the challenge and get the tutorial links.
Lanterns created by GV 1st & 2nd graders for our Fall Maker Expo
Part Three in the Series- Black History Month of Making where we’re sharing some of our favorite maker moments and projects inspired by Black creators, makers, scientists, and inventors. This one is just in time for some weekend fun. Remember to check back next week for a new hands-on project.
Lanterns help shine light in the darkness. This week’s maker project is inspired by Black inventor Michael C. Harvey who patented an improvement on the wick for oil lanterns. See how creative you can get making your own lantern and shine your light bright!
Check out the design challenge below and scroll down to watch a video of some of our GV students to get even more inspiration. Click this pic ⬇ to download the challenge and get the tutorial link.
Downloadable Lantern Design Challenge + Tutorial Link
Want to get even more creative?! Check out this video from our Fall Maker EXPO featuring Mrs. Coleman’s 1st & 2nd graders. They learned all about the scientific aspects of light and then combined that knowledge with the arts to make lanterns highlighting their special qualities and created a dance to showcase their maker brilliance.
Remember to share your creations with us at school or tag us on social media
During the month of February, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite maker moments and projects inspired by Black creators, makers, scientists, and inventors. Check back each week for new hands-on projects.
Kicking off our Black History Month of Making, learn to make your own Black power, pride, or joy images that you can wear all year long. You can follow along with the tutorial below which features our very own Teacher on Special Assignment, Paula Mitchell, who was inspired by Emory Douglas’ printmaking art for the Black Panther Party.
Check out this episode of Maker Ed’s Learning in the Makingto learn not only how to screen print but also learn some of the history of the Black Power movement, from the Black Panthers to #BlackLivesMatter. Also check out the Activity Guide that lists all the materials you’ll need and step-by-step instructions in both English & Spanish.
Share your creations with us at school or tag us on social media @grass_valley_ousd #GVMakes
Shout out to former GV Special Education teacher, Roxy Martinez, who helped develop this activity for us for our 2018 Black History Month Celebration!
Creativity is inspired by many elements. In our Wonder Workshop, we hope people’s inspiration comes from the supplies in our space or from our Maker challenges. We try to foster a creative environment and activate all the senses. One of these senses is sound and what better way to activate this sense than by playing music.
Here is the Wonder Workshop’s Perseverance Playlist. It’s filled with songs that encourage children and adults alike to continue on and not give up on their endeavors or, in our case, their projects. Like one student in our Makerspace said, “If Thomas Edison gave up after his first light bulb, we wouldn’t have this light in this [Maker]space to create this.”
If you’re feeling in need of some inspiration, give these songs a listen.
“The Power of Yet” Janelle Monae
Believe in yourself, work hard, stay focused, and one day you’ll get to where you want to be. That’s the power of yet.
“Try Everything” Shakira
From the movie Zootopia, Shakira brings the Latin pop beat to this song about trying even though your chances of failing might be high. “Try Everything” teaches our students that you have to try, try and try again to learn and expand your knowledge.
“Fight Song” Rachel Platten
A child might get discouraged from peers or get down on themselves because they might compare themselves to others but Rachel Platten tackles this problem with her anthem to keep fighting. You have to fight back and prove that you can achieve.
“The Greatest” Sia
The song and music video empowers the child who has creativity and strength. The value of stamina is highlighted and reminds us that is the way to become the greatest. It reminds us to keep going even when times are hard.
“Get Back Up Again” from The Trolls movie
Even though the idea of failure can be scary, this song reminds us that when we get knocked down, we’ve go to get back up again. That’s a big lesson children learn when working on projects-not everything goes according to plan, but you have to keep on trying and you just might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish.
“I Am Changing” Whitney Huston
This song reminds us that it’s ok to ask for help from our friends. It’s ok to start over and change what you’re doing for the better.
About the Author
Maria Renteria, AmeriCorps VISTA
Maria comes to us from the South Bay of Los Angeles. She has been a Maker since she can remember. She is excited to share this passion with Grass Valley Elementary students because she wants them to create their best memories of school through making like she did when she was little.
The Wonder Workshop started with Paula Mitchell, the teacher behind making at Grass Valley. She had a dream to turn Grass Valley into a making school with its very own Makerspace. She attended many maker education workshops and became a member of Oakland’s Maker Fellows Program. There she met a Maker Ed Americorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service for America) member, who told Ms. Mitchell about the difference she was making at La Escuelita. Ms. Mitchell decided to apply to Maker Ed’s VISTA Program, and Grass Valley was granted two new AmeriCorps VISTA members.
This brings us to today: the VISTAs, Crystal Le and Maria Renteria, have been working behind the scenes of making at Grass Valley for 9 months. Recently, Maker Ed asked Miss Crystal and Miss Maria to participate in an online Q&A “Ask a Maker Educator: VISTA Edition.” They talk about why they are serving with the Maker Ed VISTA program, how they started Grass Valley’s new makerspace, and how they’ve creatively approached gathering resources and much more. Watch “Ask a Maker Educator: VISTA Edition” for their experiences and insights!
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