Use Your Laser Cutter & Engraver To Raise Funds For Your STEM Classroom Or Makerspace
Wood Coasters Made for Fundraising at Dugger Union Community Schools
Have you ever thought about the opportunities accessible with just a laser cutter and engraver for raising funds for your STEM classroom or makerspace?
Don't undervalue the impact of personalized goods when it comes to fundraising. With incredible machines such as the Glowforge or Full Spectrum, you can take ordinary objects and create exclusive and custom items for school fundraising.
Using makerspace tools to fundraise can enhance your fundraising efforts and encourage innovation and hands-on learning within your community. Let's dive into leveraging these machines for a successful fundraiser!
Looking Beyond Traditional School Fundraising Methods
Glowforge Laser Cutter & Engraver on the 1st Maker Space Glowforge Laser Cart
With the growing focus on STEM education and makerspace programs, schools need to think outside the box when planning their next fundraising project.
One innovative idea is using technology like laser cutters and engravers, which engage students and provide unique fundraising opportunities. By incorporating a laser cutter or laser engraver into your fundraiser, you can create unique items to sell, such as engraved keychains, customized wooden signs, etched glassware, etc.
These products will appeal to many potential supporters and offer hands-on learning experiences for students as they participate in the creation process. In this way, your fundraising efforts become sustainable from year to year while simultaneously fostering interest in STEM.
New Approach: Laser Cutter & Engraver Fundraising
The Full Spectrum PS24 Laser Cutter & Engraver and 1st Maker Space Mobile Laser Storage Tower at Dugger Union Community Schools
Imagine the excitement and intrigue that a laser cutter can bring to your STEM classroom or makerspace fundraising efforts. This innovative approach provides endless possibilities for raising funds while teaching students about design, engineering, and entrepreneurship.
By creating custom products with your school's brand, unique event keepsakes, or personalized items for supporters, you'll raise money and showcase your students' incredible skills and talents.
By engaging in hands-on learning with laser cutters, students unlock their creative potential and gain the practical experience and employability skills they'll carry far beyond the classroom walls.
The funds generated from selling student-made creations go directly back into enhancing the makerspace or STEM classroom environment, creating an ongoing cycle of growth and development that benefits all involved.
Dugger School Using Their Laser Cutter For Fundraising
The Finished Product
Dugger Union Community Schools have embraced innovation and creativity by using their Full Spectrum PS24 Laser Cutter & Engraver for fundraising efforts to support their STEM classroom and makerspace.
Certified Maker Manager Abby Howard, the 7th Grade Science and Computer Science Teacher at Dugger Union Community Schools, along with the school’s art teacher, Amber Rashand both of their classes combined their knowledge of design and technology to make wood coasters.
They then packaged the coasters and sealed the packaging with stickers they made on their Cricut cutting machine. As an incentive for the students to help, Mrs. Howard told the students they would have a pizza party to celebrate if they made enough money.
By engaging students in designing, cutting, and engraving wooden coasters with the laser cutter, Mrs. Howard has provided a hands-on learning experience and helped raise funds essential for enriching the educational environment. This was also a great cross-curricular project for getting people excited in the school.
Combining technology and entrepreneurship, this innovative approach showcases how schools can integrate modern tools into real-world applications while empowering students to contribute directly to the growth of their own learning spaces.
With such inspiring examples like Mrs. Howard's initiative at Dugger Union Community Schools, more educators will likely discover unconventional ways of supporting their STEM classrooms and makerspaces, ultimately fostering an atmosphere where innovation thrives.
Other Ways Of Using Laser Cutters For Fundraising
Leather Keychain Engraved
According to Grand View Research, the global personalized gift market is expected to reach $38.66 billion by 2027, demonstrating the immense potential of using a laser cutter and engraver for raising funds.
Here are just a few ideas on how to utilize a laser cutter and engraver in your fundraiser:
Create beautifully engraved school merchandise such as keychains or picture frames.
Engrave aluminum mugs or bottles.
Craft customized awards or trophies for sporting events, academic achievements, or other special occasions.
Offer personalized gifts like etched glassware, leather goods, or luggage tags perfect for holiday seasons or milestones.
Collaborate with local businesses on joint projects featuring their logo alongside student-created designs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, incorporating a laser cutter and engraver into your STEM classroom or makerspace fundraising efforts offers an exciting and innovative approach to raising funds while engaging students in hands-on learning experiences. This unique method provides endless possibilities for creating personalized products that will appeal to supporters and fosters a love for innovation, design, and engineering among students. By embracing this new approach, schools can ensure their fundraising efforts remain sustainable and impactful, directly benefiting the growth and development of their STEM programs and inspiring future generations of creative problem-solvers and innovators.