Tools to prioritize STEAM learning across school programs
With the end of ESSER funds, and the potential for federal budget cuts, districts are going into the 2025-26 school year facing massive budget restraints and staffing challenges that impact student services. Many administrators are having to rethink budgets, exploring alternative funding sources, and prioritizing essential programs.
Federal Grant Funding
Even though federal funding makes up only a small portion of schools budgets, the planned $12 billion in total federal cuts for K-12 education for the 2025-26 school year will largely affect Title 1 grants for low-income schools, students with disabilities in special education, along with after school and summer programs.
Budget Replacements
In light of limited budgets, administrators are turning to state legislatures and local partnerships for funding but are left with no viable replacement for federal and ESSER funds.`
Reduced Budgets Affect:
- Non-Essential Programs
- Hiring Freezes and Layoffs
- Depleting Resources
- School Closures
- Support for Students
With such tight budgets, schools have to be smart about their buying decisions, needing tools that can be utilized across the board, not just for single classrooms, but outfit entire programs with affordable hands-on learning.
A banana piano? A cardboard video game controller? A playdough drum set? With the Makey Makey STEM Pack – Classroom Invention Literacy Kit, kids turn everyday objects into interactive inventions – no software licenses or coding experience needed! It’s the hands-on, budget-friendly STE(A)M learning kit that sparks curiosity and creative confidence.
Designed by MIT researchers and used around the world, Makey Makey brings playful, project-based learning to classrooms, libraries, and after-school programs. It’s quick to set up, accessible for all learners, and supported by a global educator community and tons of FREE online resources.
3Doodler’s all-in-one Start+ Learning Packs can outfit entire classrooms, makerspaces, summer camps, and more with tangible three-dimensional STEAM projects that enhance student engagement and collaboration. With low printing temperatures 3Doodler Start+ 3D pens are safe and easy to use to help schools create accessible and inclusive learning environments across the board. Paired with hundreds of hours of easily implemented standards-aligned lesson plans, teachers can utilize their time with their students instead of planning.
Help schools stretch budgets with sustainable hands-on STEAM tools by Makedo. By having educational tools that rely on upcycled materials that help extend the product’s life span, school can utilize their budgets to its fullest potential over multiple years while students gain STEAM skills with safe cardboard construction tools. Along with standards-aligned lesson plans and activities, combat teacher shortages and limited budgets with Makedo Kits.
Check out budget friendly tools!
What other STEAM products do you use around your school? Let us know in the comments!
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