Rural Schools Maker Space Initiative

Congratulations to Our 2026 Rural Schools Maker Space Initiative Grant Recipients

Celebrating Innovation in Rural Education

The Rural Schools Association of New York (RSA), in partnership with the National Grid Foundation and TeacherGeek, is proud to congratulate the five school districts selected to receive a Rural Schools Maker Space Initiative Grant.

These districts demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding hands-on STEM learning, fostering creativity, and providing students with meaningful opportunities to explore engineering, design, and problem-solving.

Each awardee will receive a fully equipped mobile Maker Cart featuring more than 18,000 STEM components, along with dedicated professional development to help educators bring engaging, project-based learning experiences into their classrooms. This initiative reflects our shared belief that every student—regardless of geography—deserves access to innovative learning opportunities that prepare them for the future.

Congratulations to Our Award Recipients

• Alexandria Central School District

• Cambridge Central School District

• Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District

• Morristown Central School District

• Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District

Looking Ahead

We are excited to partner with these outstanding districts as they launch their new maker spaces and inspire the next generation of creators, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Over the coming school year, students will engage in hands-on engineering challenges, collaborative design projects, and authentic STEM experiences that build critical thinking, creativity, and confidence. Educators will receive ongoing support and professional learning to ensure these resources have a lasting impact across their schools and communities.

Thank You

We extend our sincere appreciation to the National Grid Foundation for making this initiative possible through its generous support and continued investment in rural education. We also thank our STEM partner, TeacherGeek, for helping bring high-quality maker experiences to classrooms across New York State.

Congratulations once again to our five grant recipients. We look forward to celebrating your students’ creativity, innovation, and success in the years ahead!

Interested in future Rural Schools Association grant opportunities? Continue to visit the RSA website for upcoming announcements and funding opportunities.