Who we are.
The Ann Richards School is a very different school. First of all, we are an all girls school with required uniforms. We are known for all of our classes related to STEM. Instead of art class, we have STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) In sixth grade we have STEM, in seventh grade we have PLTW (project lead the way), and in eighth grade we have GTT (gateway to technology). Because we specialize in these objectives and skills, a lot of organizations and groups know who we are and support us in any way they can.
How the Makerspace came to be!
Thanks to the organization Impact Austin, we received a $100,000 grant to make a makerspace at our school. We were chosen to receive the money because their team of women believe we have a strongly educated and impressive school. Intel gave us $25,000 so we could buy furniture and decorations for the space.
Our classroom.
The makerspace is a very different type of classroom. There are two sections of it. The first section is the “clean lab” as we call it. The chairs aren’t simply blue, hard and plastic like the average classrooms. There is a complete couch area and a lot of furniture that is pleasing to the eye. This room’s bright orange walls against white modern furniture
brightens everyone’s day when they enter. The makers space design is really, as Chloe would say, “Fun and Fresh!” The space is organized and easy to get around. 15 Mac desktop computers line the walls available for anyone’s use. One of the coolest parts of our room is the 3d printer that we bought with part of our 100,000 dollars.
The other section of the space is the “dirty lab.” Although that section is not completely finished we know what it is going to be in the end. There are going to be different types of saws and the basic “toolbox tools” alongwith sewing machines and other various machines and tools. One of the eighth grade students told us, “I am really excited to be able to use the sewing machines.” We are all excited to be able to use this wonderful space that has been given to us!
How it affects us.
The makerspace has had a very positive effect on our learning. As Nicole earlier mentioned the room has a very happy feel to it. The colors are very bright and there are a lot of windows to let natural light in. The overall look of the room really creates a fun learning environment. The room doesn’t feel like every other classroom which allows me to think outside of the box. Many students agree that the space has been a wonderful addition to our school.
By: Chloe, Macy, Tori, Nicole
Improvements— The maker space now has enough Mac computers for the wholeclass, and we have an amazing and very useful 3-D printer. There are also two large, glass windows in the room that the eighth grade sisters have decorated with colorful drawings, inspirational quotes, and random doodles. We got brand new furniture, including a couch and white board. The maker space also got a new 
coat of orange paint in one room, and turquoise in the other. Soon to come are Arduinos, and we already have our very own Makey Makeys, both fun and engaging project starters. The new makers space is a great place for ideas to flow and become more than just thoughts.
some things that could use a change. For instance, we need more chairs and there are some parts, like the garage, are in the process of being finished.
ARS Design Lab 