What is a Maker Space?
The short answer: A place where you make.
The long answer: A place to encourage and inspire students to challenge themselves and learn to think creatively and critically. You can set up a Maker Space in your classroom that is designed to foster hands on learning.
What can a student do in a Maker Space?
Anything they can conceive! Some Maker Spaces allow students to just go. Others offer more structure to the learning. A balanced approach is recommended. Encourage your students to dream. To ask questions. To wonder. Then challenge your students to do. Or offer your student challenges and help them walk through solving the situation presented.
What if my students fail?
If your students fail, then they are succeeding! Failure is part of the success process. In fact, failure and risk taking are encouraged. To make something well requires the use of the Engineering Design Principle. It consists of a series of prototypes, testing,
What should I put in my Maker Space?
The simplest Maker Spaces use common classroom materials such as tape, glue, hot glue, glue sticks, paper, paper towel rolls, markers, marshmallows, toothpicks, straws, craft sticks, clay, markers, scissors, and cardboard. More advanced Maker Spaces have hand tools, power tools, 3D printers, laser cutters and more.
I’m ready to take the plunge…where do I begin?
We’ve created Designing a Maker Space that gives you 24 pages of information for creating a Maker Space of your own. Jerry has built two Maker Spaces and we walk you through things that have worked and some of the challenges he’s run into. Learn the rationale behind a Makers Space, how to design a Maker Space to fit the space you have, two different equipment lists, suggestions for stocking your Maker Space, a list of Jerry’s best resources, and more.
For more information and a preview check it out here.
What can I do to challenge my students right now?
We love a good Maker Space challenge! We have a host of downloads that help walk you through projects to tackle with your students. Build a bridge using craft sticks. Grow a windowsill garden and explore a basic hydroponics system. Host a classroom roller coaster challenge. Explore LEDs and circuits with light up holiday cards.
