Application Process

Application Process

Schools were invited to submit an application as outlined below.

SMCOE selected 11 schools to participate based on the following criteria: 

•    School must reside in San Mateo County    

•    Unique needs of the school in relation to other applicants in terms of population, income, and other factors 

  • Priority will be placed on providing access for youth traditionally under-represented in STEM

•    Capacity of the school to successfully participate in the partnership and implement their project

  • Each partner school must have a clearly identified Making Spaces lead team or individual, including lead on crowdfunding campaign

The online application asked the applicant to provide the following information:

I. School Information

• Please tell us about your school, including information on grade levels, demographics of student population, any special needs, relevant community or after-school partnerships, and any other relevant information. 

II. Contact Information 

• Please provide the name, title, email, and phone number of the main point of contact at your school.

III. Exploring Making at Your School (one to two paragraphs) 

1. SMCOE will work with each school to develop a vision for integrating making as a learning process. Let us know ways in which you have already integrated making at your school. If making is new to or not a current part of your school, address why you are interested in integrating making at your school. 

2. Let us know the ways in which you are interested in integrating making into your school. Please select all that apply:

   • Professional learning / training & development support for teachers and administrators 

   • The transformation of a space into a makerspace (a ‘makerspace’ is a space that often includes different types of tools, equipment, and workplaces that allow people to gather, invent, and learn) 

   • An after school program 

   • An elective class 

   • Content area or grade-level integration 

   • Out-of-school time community event

   • Other ideas 

III. Equity & Deep Learning (one to two paragraphs) 

• At SMCOE STEM Center, we believe in deep learning for each and every child, now and for life. How do you see maker education addressing equity and deep learning in your school community? 

IV. Team 

• List and describe the core team that would work on your proposed project(s). Describe what roles they might play and why. Please include at least one administrator on your team.