How do I decide what to make or teach at the Marketplace? The student sellers and peer-teachers at the Marketplace are expected to be experienced already with what they are making or what they are teaching others. This is not the time to suddenly start a new hobby for the purpose of this event. The application will ask you to submit pictures and/or videos of what you will sell or teach, so you will need to already be actively participating in your hobby to have the most success. 

What if I'm not sure I have the skills to be a seller or peer-teacher? You are welcome to submit an application and let us make that decision for you. Or, if you are not feeling confident yet, perhaps you can attend the Marketplace this year and make plans for how you will participate as a seller or peer-teacher in a future year.

Why do I have to apply? To help us best plan the experience for all, the application process will allow us to make decisions about what to have at the Marketplace. 

Does a parent or caregiver apply for their student, or does a student apply? The application is a shared process with caregivers and students in grades 3-8, or can be completed by a teen on their own as long as they supply their parent's or guardian's information where requested. RaynWater STEAM will reach out to the teen's caregiver to make sure they are aware of the application.

Can I work with another student? Yes! But, each student must submit an application, even when working with someone else. Applications from students who are on the same team can look the same as each other.

Is there a chance I won't be accepted as a seller or peer-teacher at the Marketplace? It depends. Our grant funding can only support a certain number of booths and peer-teachers at the Marketplace. If we receive more applications than we can support, then we will have a parent-review team help us decide on who to accept.

How much can or should adults help? We would like the student to do as much as possible on their own. The Marketplace is meant to be an event by students for their fellow students. However, you know your student best and there may be times when they will need your help. We will also depend on you, the adult, for communication and for keeping your student working toward being ready for the Marketplace on May 9.

How many items need to be made? This depends on what you are making. For some items, like jewelry, we would expect 30-50 items. But, we realize that some items take much longer to make, in which case you may only make a handful. An example of this might be intricate sewing or needlework projects.

What do you mean by teaching something to others? We know that children and teens are tremendously skilled in many areas, and may want to help others learn those skills. The peer-teaching sessions will involve small groups of 5-10 children learning from you, the peer-teacher, for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Attendees at the Marketplace will sign up for timed sessions.

Will I make money? Yes! Each student who is a seller or peer-teacher will earn a minimum of $20, regardless of how much they sell or number of students in their lessons.

How do I get/afford the materials I may need to make all the items? The application will ask you for an anticipated budget, which is how much money you think it will cost to make the items you will have ready for the Marketplace. We have grant money to help you buy a good number of materials to create the items. There may be some instances where we will need the family to buy some of the supplies. This will all be communicated with you before you start making your items.

If I am teaching something to others, do I also need supplies? Maybe! Many lessons need supplies so that the children who take part in it can be an active participant. Think about what a teacher may handout to a class if they are doing a lesson at school, and base your supply list and budget on those ideas.

What happens to the items I don't sell at the Marketplace? You get to keep them! You can use them as gifts or sell them in other ways that your parents or guardians think is appropriate.

Do adults attend the Marketplace too? While the Marketplace is meant to be for our local students, all children in grades K-8 must be accompanied by an adult. High schoolers may attend the Marketplace without an adult. All sellers and peer-teachers must have an adult caregiver with them at their booth or teaching station for the full 2 hours of the Marketplace. For the safety of everyone, no adults, except special guests invited by the sellers and peer-teachers, may attend the Marketplace without a child.