MOULTRIE, Ga. — Gov. Nathan Deal announced six award winners for the Innovation Fund Tiny Grant Program, a competitive grant opportunity that provides funding to traditional public schools, charter schools and school districts to implement small-scale programs that directly engage students.

“The Innovation Fund Tiny Grant unites top educators to prepare students to engage in today’s most important academic areas,” said Deal. “As we invest in young minds and encourage them to reach their fullest potential, we must also invest in opportunities to develop and implement innovative classroom methods.”

Grants were awarded to programs with one of the following focuses: applied learning with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education; blended and personalized learning; and birth-to-age-8 language and literacy development.

Doerun Elementary teacher Ashley Pitts applied for the grant with a program she designed to have a focus on STEAM. She was awarded the full amount of the grant.

Her program called Making Thinkers with a Makerspace will teach students critical thinking and expository writing skills.

Makerspaces are sweeping the nation and have been a White House initiative since 2014. A makerspace is a STEAM lab where students choose what to design then spend time researching, planning, working, and sharing their creation. Makerspaces are completely student driven. The teacher only facilitates.

“The Doerun Elementary makerspace will include engineering with Legos, robotics, origami, weaving, fashion design, programing, electronics, and more!” said a press release from the school. “It’s a revolutionary way to teach because students get to decide what they learn about!”