How our network began

In 2014 the Ohio Department of Education awarded several Central Ohio districts the Straight A Grant for "Innovation Generation" This grant endeavored to combine early college, career tech and exploratory education for students to graduate with college credits or with a credentialed skill recognized by business. As part of a national initiative, it focused on information technology, advance manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.

Through the advanced manufacturing scope of this grant, innovative spaces, both mobile and static, were created to support this movement. Implementation and sustainability challenges encouraged the a gathering of educators, partners and sponsors for the first Central Ohio FaLab Summit held in Reynoldsburg Ohio.

At this first gathering it was determined to formalize a network of support that would reconvene annually and provide opportunities for educators to collaborate and share best practices occurring in these innovative spaces.

In 2019, the network rebranded from the Central Ohio FabLab NetworK-12 to MakerEDU. The goal moving forward is to expand the scope and reach of the network and be more inclusive of the great work of educators and leaders working in MakerSpaces, TinkerSpaces, and FabLabs. This includes librarians, teachers, professors, or community providers, all gathering to build a robust vertical network that supports this great work!

This recurring Summer Summit event is in it's fifth year of implementation and planned by a volunteer group of educators.

If you would like to get involve or find out how you can help...

Contact Thomie Timmons at ttimmons@reyn.org or reach out to the MakerEDU Planning Team member in your organization.

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