VT Makerschools Initiative
In recent years, the State’s demand for STEAM education and workforce development in manufacturing, fabrication, and innovative technology has increased significantly, creating a critical need for Vermont schools and educators to provide curriculum, tools, and technical support to foster career and college ready students.
With support from Senator Leahy’s office, the USDoE provided funds for Generator to build out six makerspaces in six schools across the state. This three-year program is designed to support selected schools to develop, implement, and sustain makerspace programs for their local learning communities in order to meet the following goals:
- Increase access to education in manufacturing, prototyping, fabrication, innovative technology, design-thinking, early-stage entrepreneurship, and workplace safety for rural Vermont middle and high schools
- Increase professional development training and support for Vermont educators in advanced technologies and manufacturing
- Build pathways to post-secondary employment, training, and education for high school graduates by exposing them to career paths in emerging technologies, technical training, and connections to employers and local networks essential for advancement
- Provide greater access for rural communities to high-paying jobs in technical fields.
Teacher Trainings
Generator’s Teacher Trainings are professional development courses that address safety and maintenance operations, curriculum integration, and lesson planning to utilize makerspace tools. Trainings include: Laser Cutter; 3D Printer; Vinyl Cutter; Sewing; and Electronics. Each session is built upon the principles of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
This learning series will be offered every Fall, Winter, and Spring to ensure our MakerSchool partners receive the necessary training to build out, sustain, and enhance STEAM learning through maker education. Each training has 12 spots that will first be made available to educators at MakerSchools, and then opened up to Vermont educators as space allows.
Our VT MakerSchools
- Bellows Falls Union High School
- Harwood Union Middle High School
- Hazen Union School
- Main Street Middle School
- White River Valley Middle School
- Williston Central School
Generator MakerSchools’ Conference
Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 10am-2pm
Join us for the culminating celebration of Generator’s MakerSchools Initiative, a federally funded program that has transformed STEAM education across Vermont. Since 2023, this initiative has built makerspaces in six schools, trained educators in 10 counties, and created pathways to emerging technology careers for students.
Come celebrate the achievements of participating schools, recognize dedicated educators and administrators, and see the innovative projects that are shaping Vermont’s future workforce through hands-on, project-based learning.