I first heard the term “Makerspace” in a bookstore. There was an area set-up and a sign that said “Makerspace”. I just thought it was an area to keep unruly children occupied. Boy, was I wrong. Makerspace is an area where children come to explore, build, create discover and tinker. Kids are trying something new and are learning on their own. They are the ones directing the action. Makerspaces can help children find their passion and then share that passion with others. “ Makerspaces encourage students to try, fail and try again- just as the world’s most amazing innovators do in their labs and studios every day. “ (Create, 2020).
Establishing a Makerspace into your classroom will encourage your students to explore and discover on their own. First, you need to designate a space in your classroom for a Makerspace. Next, you need to supply that space with various materials. (These materials could rotate throughout the year depending on your focus, curriculum, interest and lessons.) Setting up rules, expectations and procedures are a must. The students need to know what exactly is expected of them. To help students not waste too many materials, have them sketch out their design and label it before they go into productivity. This serves two purposes, less waste of your materials and more importantly it ensures that the student thought out and planned their project. Finally, let the creativity juices flow.
Just like with anything new to your class, introduce and implement it in small pieces at first. You could have a makerspace set up as a station or learning center. The students would rotate in and out of it. Your makerspace could be the focus for the entire class for a certain day. You also could establish the Makerspace with a certain subject area. Giving the students a choice to use the space at their “free” time is also another option. There is no wrong or right way to set up/implement a Makerspace. This space is all about a hands-on method for students to explore, discover, build and tinker.
Just imagine what a Makerspace can do for creative minds. “Makerspaces are a hands-on method for STEAM learning, giving students space to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.” (Create, 2020). Giving our students the opportunity to explore on their own, in their own way, encourages them to be independent thinkers and tinkers. Let your students “make” and watch the creative juices flow and watch problems being solved.
Create a STEAM Makerspace for Your School in 5 Easy Steps: Resilient Educator. (2020, March 03). Retrieved from https://resilienteducator.com/classroom- resources/create-steam-makerspace/
Just like with anything new to your class, introduce and implement it in small pieces at first. You could have a makerspace set up as a station or learning center. The students would rotate in and out of it. Your makerspace could be the focus for the entire class for a certain day. You also could establish the Makerspace with a certain subject area. Giving the students a choice to use the space at their “free” time is also another option. There is no wrong or right way to set up/implement a Makerspace. This space is all about a hands-on method for students to explore, discover, build and tinker.
Just imagine what a Makerspace can do for creative minds. “Makerspaces are a hands-on method for STEAM learning, giving students space to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.” (Create, 2020). Giving our students the opportunity to explore on their own, in their own way, encourages them to be independent thinkers and tinkers. Let your students “make” and watch the creative juices flow and watch problems being solved.
References
Create a STEAM Makerspace for Your School in 5 Easy Steps: Resilient Educator. (2020, March 03). Retrieved from https://resilienteducator.com/classroom- resources/create-steam-makerspace/
I like your thoughts on stepping into Makerspace right into your classroom just a little bit at a time, yet have deliberate plans for how to make the most of it, such as having the students draw and plan a bit before just jumping in. Great!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of introducing the makerspace in small steps. You gave some practical suggestions as to how to implement this into the classroom and that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Giving students the opportunity to be creative along with some expectations and planning will maximize the effectiveness of a makerspace. I like your suggestion about having students draw and plan out what they are going to do before starting.
ReplyDeleteTerry - You are becoming quite the blogger! I love how you include fun images! The quote from Einstein is GREAT! I might have to use it in my classroom! You gave a great suggestion when talking about rotating materials in and out of your maker space. That helps to keeps things new and fresh! I also appreciated your comment that there is no right or wrong way to use this! As long as kids are creating they are learning! Loved this blog post!
ReplyDeleteI like how you said to introduce and implement it as with anything new I feel students want an idea of what expectations are. Great idea of rotating materials. Plus. I love how you thought makerspace in the bookstore was for the unruly children :). It makes me think of the Lego's at all of the stores and libraries.
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