LIBERTY, Mo. -- A Liberty school librarian wants her students to know there are more than just books at the library.
There may be geniuses in our midst. That's the kind of intellect Liberty Public Schools administrators are trying to foster at Lewis and Clark Elementary School with a recently-added Maker Space.
Library Media Specialist Angela Rosheim is the catalyst behind the small space with big potential. During the summer months, Rosheim applied for grant money, which was later applied toward gadgets and instructional tools meant to help students develop their creativity.
This school is home to nearly 400 students, and once per week, each one attends this "Genius Hour," where they experiment with designing robots and craft-making using recycled items.
"They have started thinking outside the box," Rosheim said. "They've started learning a lot more from their failure. Taking risks. Trying things they've never tried before."
Lewis and Clark fifth-grader Layne Mathews says her opportunity to learn has expanded since the school added the Maker Space.
"Now that we've added all this awesome stuff, we don't have to go other places to get this stuff," Mathews said. "It's a great way to embrace our creativity."
Rosheim says she's seeing maker space pay off in student independence. Students aren't coming to her every time learning becomes difficult. They're figuring it out on their own.
Eight thousand dollars in grant money went toward the Maker Space, which came from the Liberty Educational Foundation.
Educators also point to a strong ecological effort within the program, since many items are recycled.