Cudahy CCudahy Middle SchoolMaker Lab Fund

Built by a community of makers

Their next great idea
starts here.

Help 300 Cudahy Middle School students each year turn curiosity into practical skills. Our $40,000 campaign will help create a Maker Lab designed to support student learning for the next 10 years.

Help fund a student project

Sponsored by the Cudahy Middle School PTO and Abby Piatti

Our roots. Their possibilities.

From the woodshop
to a world of ideas.

Cudahy was built by people who knew how to make things. With teacher Marlise Kuehn, the Maker Lab will carry that spirit forward through woodworking, circuit building, 3D design and printing.

Illustrative comparison of a traditional woodworking bench and a proposed Maker Lab with six modular worktables, student stools, shelving, 3D printing and an open cabinet storing protective eyewear. Donation options include $100, $250, $500, $1,000 and $5,000, with makerspace name recognition for a $5,000 sponsorship.
Concept illustration. These are not photographs of the current classroom or a finalized renovation plan.

The class has evolved. The space and funding need to catch up. Your support helps students—including those from low-income families—discover an interest that may become a lifelong passion.

Download the campaign visual

Building for the next 10 years

A space to create.
Materials to keep going.

Our $40,000 goal supports a practical, welcoming Maker Lab for 300 students each year.

Furniture, storage & safety
$30,000

New tables, student stools, storage, shelving, protective eyewear and other safety gear to re-envision the space for hands-on work.

Maker Lab materials
$10,000

Circuit-building supplies, 3D printer filament and other consumable project materials that help students bring their ideas to life.

Can you help stock the lab?

Financial gifts and approved in-kind donations can help meet these needs.

  • New tables, student stools, storage and shelving
  • Protective eyewear and other safety gear
  • Circuit-building supplies
  • 3D printer filament and printing materials
  • Other consumable project materials

Maker Lab wishlist

Six tables needed

Haskell Education Rover Table

Modular worktables for shared classroom projects. Example: 3 Module, Powered model.

Quote needed for selected configuration and delivery.

View tables at School Specialty

Class set · quantity to confirm

Student stools

Classroom Select Art/Lab Stool, Hard Plastic. Adjustable-height example; seat height and quantity will be matched to the tables and class size.

Quote needed; select height and color with School Specialty.

View stools at School Specialty

24 student pairs proposed

Protective eyewear

Sellstrom Direct Vent Safety Goggles, Fog-Free Plastic Lenses, item 577918. School will confirm fit and task suitability; teacher coverage and lathe face protection are additional.

$5.99 each listed · 24 pairs: $143.76.

View goggles at School Specialty

One cabinet proposed

Eyewear storage cabinet

School Specialty listing: Sellstrom Germicidal Cabinet – 36 Goggles and 10 Safety Glasses, item 1489839. Confirm package contents before adding separate eyewear quantities.

Quote needed; price could not be verified.

View cabinet at School Specialty

2–3 additional lathes proposed

Small woodworking lathes

Central Machinery 10 × 18-inch benchtop wood lathe is a pricing example. Final equipment requires school approval for supervised woodworking. Turning tools, mounting, workholding and safety accessories are additional.

$279.99 each · 2: $559.98 · 3: $839.97.

View lathe at Harbor Freight

Shared invention kits · quantity to confirm

Makey Makey Classic kits

Includes a Makey Makey board, USB cable, alligator clips and connector wires. Students can turn conductive materials into controls for interactive creations.

$51.95 per kit listed · classroom quantity to confirm.

View Makey Makey kit and price

12 shared starter kits proposed

micro:bit coding & building kits

SparkFun micro:bit v2 Go Bundle includes the board, USB cable, battery holder and batteries. Twelve support paired work for up to 24 students. External circuit parts and building materials are additional.

$24.95 per bundle · 12: $299.40 at the single-kit price.

View micro:bit bundle at SparkFun

12 shared kits proposed

Circuit-building kits

Home Science Tools Electricity Science Kit for model-house lighting and lamp prototypes. Includes bulbs, holders, batteries, leads and a switch. Project housings and replacement supplies are additional.

$28.95 per kit · 12: $347.40.

View circuit kit and price

Supplier prices checked October 4, 2026; prices and availability can change. Listed totals exclude shipping, tax and added accessories. School Specialty account pricing may vary. Final models and quantities will be confirmed with the school. Please contact Abby before purchasing or donating equipment.

Cudahy businesses supporting Cudahy kids

A skill. A spark.
A place to begin.

Your business knows the value of people who can solve problems and make ideas work. Help the next generation discover that same passion.

Talk with Abby about giving

Fundraising sponsors: Cudahy Middle School PTO and Abby Piatti
Contact Abby to coordinate a financial gift or approved supplies.

Connect with the project team

Questions or a donation in mind?

Contact Abby to coordinate gifts and supplies, or reach our school leaders with questions about the Maker Lab.

School office: 414-294-2830 · School staff directory