Welcome to Our Creative Hub!
At Johnson Elementary School, we are deeply committed to educating the whole child by balancing academic challenge with emotional, physical, and creative growth. As part of this commitment, we are thrilled to spotlight our Tech Education and Makerspace, a dedicated environment where students bring learning to life through hands-on discovery, design thinking, and open-ended experimentation.
Guided by our school mission, "Preparing Today's Child for Tomorrow's World," this innovative space empowers young minds to thrive, nurture their natural curiosity, and develop key 21st-century skills.
Our Slogan: "Together We Create"
The core philosophy of our Makerspace is simple: "Together We Create". In this collaborative space, students aren't just consumers of technology—they are creators, engineers, and inventors. Whether working individually or in teams, Johnson Huskies learn that their voices, ideas, and unique perspectives matter.
Meet Our Tech Education & Makerspace Teacher
We are fortunate to have Mrs. Laura Bustos leading our Tech Education and Makerspace programs.
Mrs. Bustos brings an exceptional background and a deep love for the local community to her role:
· Experience & Education: She has been a dedicated educator in the Poudre School District (PSD) for 11 years. She holds a Master of Arts in Instructional Methods from Colorado State University (CSU) and completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC).
· Local Roots: As a Colorado native and a proud graduate of Poudre High School, her connection to Fort Collins runs deep—her husband and all three of her children are also Poudre High graduates!
· Her Passion: Mrs. Bustos is deeply passionate about everything involving STEM, Computer Science, and combining technical skills with hands-on tinkering and making. Her ultimate goal is to guide students as they explore magical, imaginative projects together.
What Students Experience and Learn
Every week, all students from Kindergarten through 5th grade visit the Tech Education and Makerspace as part of our daily specials rotation. The curriculum is carefully designed to grow alongside your child:
· Kindergarten to 2nd Grade: Lessons focus heavily on foundational digital literacy, basic computer utilization, and motor skills. Students also create projects in the Makerspace that correlate with homeroom learning.
· 3rd Grade to 5th Grade: Students build on their foundations by applying their skills to specialized projects that require extensive planning, structural design, prototyping, testing, and continuous improvement.
Throughout their time in the Makerspace, students engage with a rich, mixed bag of tools and concepts, spanning:
· STEM & Computer Science: Programming, basic electronics, and introductory web design.
· Digital Media: 3D design, video editing, and animation.
· Tinkering & Physical Making: Working with a wide array of everyday materials, building structures, and prototyping physical solutions to real-world challenges.
· Digital Citizenship: Learning the vital importance of being safe, respectful, and responsible digital citizens online.
The Benefits of Maker-Centered Learning
Makerspaces focus on hands-on discovery and design thinking—an iterative approach where students generate solutions, build prototypes, receive feedback, and refine their work. Through this process, students develop crucial life skills:
· Resilience & Growth Mindset: In the Makerspace, failure is celebrated as an important step in the learning process. If a design doesn't work the first time, students learn to treat it as data and try again.
· The 4 Cs: Activities natively reinforce Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical thinking.
· Real-World Connections: Students bridge the gap between abstract classroom lessons (such as math and science concepts) and authentic, tangible real-world applications.
How Parents Can Support Our Makerspace
A successful Makerspace thrives on community support! If you would like to help support Mrs. Bustos and our young creators, here are a few ways to get involved:
1. Donate "Upcycled" Materials: We are always looking for clean, everyday household items that can be transformed into brilliant inventions. Keep an eye out for classroom newsletters requesting items like cardboard tubes, clean plastic bottle caps, yarn, glue, and clean plastic containers.
2. Ask Your Child About Their Projects: When your child comes home on their Makerspace day, spark a conversation! Ask them: "What problem did you try to solve today?" or "What did you modify when your first design didn't work out?"
3. Connect with the School: If you have questions about the tech program or want to learn more about our community school, feel free to visit our main office or contact us at 970-488-5000.