In partnership with Madison Metropolitan School District, Madison Public Library announces an expansion of the Making Spaces initiative, funded in 2018 and 2019 by a grant from Schmidt Futures.  

This innovative partnership to provide maker based education in MMSD schools offers schools the opportunity to utilize maker-based learning at the local level, and supports educators in schools, community centers and libraries in expanding their knowledge of new literacies and hands-on learning methods.  

“We are delighted to support the Making Spaces initiative,” said Thomas Kalil, Chief Innovation Officer of Schmidt Futures.  “Maker-centered learning can inspire students to excel in design, invention, STEM, and real-world problem-solving.”

In 2016, the Bubbler at Madison Public Library launched a project funded by Google, Maker Ed, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburg aimed at developing a national strategy to sustainably integrate making into schools across the county. Partnering with Madison Metropolitan School District, six schools were selected for the first cohort: Franklin, Sandburg, and Huegel Elementary Schools, Toki and Whitehorse Middle Schools, and Capital High School. As part of the project, each school launched its own fundraising campaign to launch their local making projects.  Grant funds from Schmidt Sciences will expand the program to ten more schools in the 2018 and 2019 school years.

The application for MMSD elementary and middle schools to apply for the project will be released district wide on April 2nd, closing Friday, May 1st. The second cohort of schools will be announced in May.

“MMSD is excited about this partnership between Schmidt Futures and Madison Public Library and the impact it will have on our students and communities that we serve. This partnership will provide opportunities and resources for not only our students but teachers to create spaces where students will gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials. This partnership and skills that our students will acquire speak directly to our district's vision for all students – that they will not only graduate but graduate with the skills and abilities to be successful in college, career, and community,” said TJ McCray, Director of Instructional Technology & Media Services for Madison Metropolitan School District. 

Learn more at http://madisonbubbler.org/bubblermakingspaces

About Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for more than 140 years.  Nine locations throughout the City of Madison are open six days per week and welcome over 2.2 million visits each year. For more information, visit madisonpubliclibrary.org, Madison Public Library on Facebook, or @madisonlibrary on Twitter and Instagram.

About The Bubbler at Madison Public Library
The Bubbler’s hands-on workshops, performances, and events introduce participants to a variety of local experts who share their talent and passion for art, design, and maker culture.  For more information, visit madisonbubbler.org, Madison Bubbler on Facebook, or @madisonbubbler on Twitter and Instagram. 

About Madison Metropolitan School District
Madison Metropolitan School District is home to a beautiful and diverse population of 27,000 students. As a school district, we are on a mission to close the gaps in opportunity that lead to disparities in achievement, and to ensure every child is academically challenged in a safe and supportive environment. We have a simple but bold vision – that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career and community. Together with our teachers, families, staff and community, we want to be the model of a successful public school district. For more information, visit madison.k12.wi.us, Madison Metropolitan School District on Facebook, or @MMSDSchools on Twitter. 

About Schmidt Futures 
Schmidt Futures works to advance society through technology, inspire breakthroughs in scientific knowledge, and promote shared prosperity.  As a venture facility for public benefit, Schmidt Futures drives discovery through investment in people, platforms, and partnerships. The initiative aims to nurture the best ideas and most promising leaders from across disciplines.  Founded and led by Eric Schmidt -- former executive chairman of Alphabet and CEO of Google -- Schmidt Futures is committed to serving society in new ways with working methods that are modern, fast, lean, and professional. Learn more at schmidtfutures.com