Makerspace seems to be the buzzword of the EdTech convention. There are an overabundance of workshops and sessions with names like, Making Space for Makerspace or Igniting Innovation and Creativity in our Makerspaces with Digital Tools and Apps. I've been curious about how to implement a makerspace for a long time so I attended some sessions to learn more.
First, let's define makerspace. Makerspace is any designated space in a classroom, library, closet etc. where kids are afforded the time and some basic resources to ask questions and ideate solutions, design and engineer projects, program and code, and generally create and explore open ended project ideas. Some makerspaces are nothing more than a table with cardboard, scissors, paper and tape; others have 3D printers and ozobots to enhance open ended exploration and play. There is no one way to set up a makerspace, it's personalized to the teacher and students’ interests, time and space constraints and availability of resources.
So what could a maker space look like? Well, I attended one workshop where we built bristlebots and then competed in 3 “olympic” events: drag racing, sumo wrestling and a hill climb. The bristlebots were basic, nothing more than a toothbrush head, battery, vibrating motor, pipe cleaners and some double sided tape. You can buy the materials needed to make about 100 of these little guys off of Amazon for $100. See photos below:
First, let's define makerspace. Makerspace is any designated space in a classroom, library, closet etc. where kids are afforded the time and some basic resources to ask questions and ideate solutions, design and engineer projects, program and code, and generally create and explore open ended project ideas. Some makerspaces are nothing more than a table with cardboard, scissors, paper and tape; others have 3D printers and ozobots to enhance open ended exploration and play. There is no one way to set up a makerspace, it's personalized to the teacher and students’ interests, time and space constraints and availability of resources.
So what could a maker space look like? Well, I attended one workshop where we built bristlebots and then competed in 3 “olympic” events: drag racing, sumo wrestling and a hill climb. The bristlebots were basic, nothing more than a toothbrush head, battery, vibrating motor, pipe cleaners and some double sided tape. You can buy the materials needed to make about 100 of these little guys off of Amazon for $100. See photos below:
This little project was very engaging because I was constantly trying to improve my bristlebot to meet the limits of the challenge. I was successful on some challenges and failed miserably on others. I kept trying to modify and redesign, tweaking my pipe cleaners ever so slightly to get just the right spin on my bristlebot. After about 45 min. of this tinkering I realized that this was exactly what makerspaces are all about; simple creations, engaging challenges, time to build and tinker and rebuild.
So why make space for makerspace? Well I think Jaime Casap, the head of Google Education, summed it up best during his keynote address. He said that the challenges and problems that our students will face in the computer science, engineering and science fields require constant innovation and redesign. So much of our current education system is setup for a fixed endpoint, a final grade and then we move on. Jamie argued that kids need experience developing multiple iterations of prototypes, and recognition that constant innovation and redesign are the norm in the workplaces of the future. The added benefit of all of this is that these are also the kinds of projects that really engage students and make them want to learn.
So are you ready to make space for makerspace?
So why make space for makerspace? Well I think Jaime Casap, the head of Google Education, summed it up best during his keynote address. He said that the challenges and problems that our students will face in the computer science, engineering and science fields require constant innovation and redesign. So much of our current education system is setup for a fixed endpoint, a final grade and then we move on. Jamie argued that kids need experience developing multiple iterations of prototypes, and recognition that constant innovation and redesign are the norm in the workplaces of the future. The added benefit of all of this is that these are also the kinds of projects that really engage students and make them want to learn.
So are you ready to make space for makerspace?