Mobile Maker Space
After going to conferences, local and afar, there has been one common theme : people have questions and want help in regards to Maker Spaces and Maker Centered Learning. Just like Maker has a very wide array of tools and materials and mediums, there is a wide array of questions. they range from "we have a $100,000 grant and an empty room..." to "I have a corner in my room that I can clean out and no money, but I want kids to start making...". Every situation is different. Every teacher is different. Every kid is different. I almost feel like the only real way to help is one on one. You know, "personalized learning".

I have visited many MakerSpaces, rooms as well as mobile spaces, and read about many others. Of course they come in all varieties, trailers (big & small), busses, trucks, cargo container. Most are run by libraries and science centers, but some are done by schools. So I began exploring in more detail the idea that we need a Maker Truck in my area (Summit County)  that can go to schools and help teachers and students with learning experiences that focus on design thinking, tinkering and making. Experiences that foster Curiosity, Creativity and Innovation. It would bring tools that they do not normally have and tools that they have always wanted to test out that are more affordable. Do PD, do community outreach to build support, run some summer camps for kids, teachers and administrators, STEM Maker movie nights, create a network of local makers... all those good things. 

How to do this?
****How to get partners and money? *****
Creating a sustainable business plan...
Which vehicle?
​(I was actually leaning towards a 14-16' box truck like a FedEx truck, but i also like the idea of repurposing a 16'-20' cargo container... This is a big first year budget issue)
How to staff it?
(I was thinking 2 full time teachers and 6-10 interns from Colleges of Education - talk about budget hit)

After visiting the Carnegie Science Center FabLab, I have settled on a Mobile Van that just carries the equipment. You offload and setup in the school or whatever location. This gives the added advantage of the admin & teachers seeing the tools IN their setting. While the idea of having a mobile "work space" is cool & neat, it is not practical for schools. You can only put ~5 people in a truck/container work space at one time, yet you have a class of 25-30. Also, the weather in NE Ohio is not always conducive for driving larger vehicles. Carnegie has some nice designs for rolling carts made with a 4x8 CNC router. Lorain County Community College also has designs for carts.

I thought I should put my plotting and planning "out there" :
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(ideas from 2019.... that need updated

Planning document                      Budget ideas