Thorntown Elementary, located in Thorntown, IN, is deeply committed to delivering a meaningful and forward-thinking educational experience—one that nurtures leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning. Central to this mission is empowering students to develop not only academic skills but also the confidence to lead in their classrooms, communities, and beyond. Recognizing the value of hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving, the school partnered with 1st Maker Space to bring a makerspace to life that would reflect and enhance these values.
Through a series of thoughtful conversations and collaborative planning sessions with school administrators and staff, 1st Maker Space designed a makerspace specifically tailored to support Thorntown’s leadership goals and educational vision. The resulting space is more than just rooms filled with tools and technology—it’s an inspiring, student-centered environment where curiosity is encouraged and ideas come to life. Equipped with a variety of materials such as 3D printers, cardboard construction tools, TeacherGeek components, and programmable robots, the makerspace provides students with opportunities to design, build, iterate, and reflect on their learning.
Led by Principal, Abbie Hayden, a STEM committee was created. These dedicated staff members organized the space in great detail so that others could easily find necessary items for a class project. They created a library of makerspace project ideas for each grade level based on required state standards. They participated in professional development, led by 1st Maker Space, which assisted them in feeling confident moving forward. Many teachers jumped right in and brought students to the space to complete projects. Bri Wagner, a third-grade teacher, has students complete math problems in the makerspace. The correct answer to the problem aligns to a code for the Dash robot. The students will know they answered the question correctly if the robot does what it is supposed to do, meaning the answer matches the correctly coded path. Katie Witaker, a fifth-grade teacher, developed a multi-station makerspace project where students completed tasks related to their upcoming field trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s safe to say, these students will never forget the experience.
Already, the makerspace has become a hub for cross-curricular learning and thematic projects, encouraging students to make connections between subjects while developing critical thinking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills. This dynamic environment not only supports Thorntown’s academic objectives but also cultivates a culture of innovation that will benefit students well beyond the classroom.
