5 Fundamental Ways to Launching A Sensational MakerSpace in Your School or Classroom
After finding out what a Makerspace is and why EVERY classroom needs a maker space, I bet you are dying to try your own.
If you need a little refresher on the what and why, be sure to check out the previous posts before we get started talking about new things and the maker movement.
Makerspaces don’t have to be in a Media Center or school library. School makerspaces are also great in a classroom whether that is a traditional space or a homeschool classroom for young people. Since a Makerspace merely is a place to create, build, wonder, and discover it can be just about ANYWHERE! That’s the good news. So in this week’s post, I want to show you five Fundamental Ways to Launching A Sensational Makerspace that focuses on creative thinking in different ways and the maker mindset.
5 Fundamental Ways to Launching A Sensational MakerSpace in Your School or Classroom
1 Immerse Yourself in Maker Education
I shared some significant resources in my post, Five reasons Every Classroom Deserves a MakerSpace. Getting involved in the Maker world helps you build your own project-based learning environment that focuses on hands-on learning, problem solving, and a growth mindset in a whole new way.
A Makerspace is a metaphor for a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play, and open-ended exploration for al
~ Laura Fleming, author of Worlds of Making.
Getting involved in the Makerspace movement allows you to see why it is so crucial for our children.
The design process (popular in makerspace) provides creative discovery experiences. It also allows us to consider how this might play out in our spaces.
Check out my blog post if you want more research and more advice from experts who have been implementing Makerspaces for years. (I had only hopped on board a few years ago. But I am 100% sold, and I do believe that it should be part of the grassroots movement that education needs so desperately. My favorite resource is still the Makerspace Playbook. There are several pdf versions available for FREE. Google will become your new BFF (if it isn’t already).
2 Find the Right Space
Here comes the section that often overwhelms us- finding the right space. But I don’t want you to get frustrated. Starting super simple is okay. In fact, I recommend that you do so. (Even though I don’t tend to take my own advice very well even when I need to!) When I decided to transform my media center, I had a good idea with big plans! The transformation included adding a Makerspace that focused on students' own interests and problem-solving skills. The Makerspace section was one of my favorite parts. (Although, the entire Media Center had to be redone, so it was a smidge overwhelming. LOL If I had started out simple, it might not have been quite so aggravating.)
The bottom line or the best way to set up a Makerspace is to put it ANYWHERE! Makerspaces can be permanent or temporary. They can be on tables, carts, in crates, in the corner, on the floor, or even outside. Wherever kids gather and want to design, discover, and create. It is that SIMPLE. Whether you already have space, know what area you can adapt to, or have yet to find it, Your SPACE to practice new skills is out there.
I know for, I love DIY projects. I’m also a HUGE fan of HGTV’s house fix-up shows. Either way, this part was fun for me. I could imagine a new possibility in the spaces I was seeking out.
If transforming a space is NOT your thing or, let’s be honest, you don’t have time, that is okay too.
Makerspace activities with duct tape or pipe cleaners or new ideas can be on a cart or in crates. (You can find cheap crates at the Dollar Store.)
Think of how many places in your classroom, media center, or home await discovery and transformation! The possibilities of spaces and what they might become are exciting discoveries.
FYI- It can even be a closet.
For your first time, use your investigating skills and a little creativity, and you’ve got this! More ideas for spaces coming soon! {If you have a great solution to where, please share in the comments. I love teaching and learning together!}
3 Tools and Materials
Makerspaces are collaborative learning environments where people come together to share materials and learn new skills… [they] are not necessarily born out of a specific set of materials or spaces, but rather a mindset of community partnership, collaboration, and creation. Library as Incubator Project
While children have an innate ability to see the creative potential in just about anything, introducing new materials and tools can enable empowering experiences. That said, there’s no denying that the materials and tools aspect of Makerspaces can be daunting. The tendency to focus on what you don’t have and what you think you need is especially common. The MakerSpace Playbook
So once again- ANYTHING GOES! Your tools may be very simple or more complex depending upon your goals or your wide range of activities for your space or making activity. Here is a generic list that I used to set up my space.
Tools for Makerspaces can include technology, too! It can be any coding activity or iPads with designing apps and more. Circuit snaps are fun, or even LED lights. It doesn’t have to be big fancy 3-D printers or laser cutters. (Although it can be!)
Any suggestions you want to add? Share in the comments. We will be focusing more on materials in the future. Here is a list to get you started. Remember, it is just a jumping-off point.
4 Get Others Involved
Getting others involved can be helpful. Brainstorming with fellow teachers or homeschool parents is a great way to cover all of your basis and to inspire synergy!
You can also start a group, club, or committee for your Makerspace by involving all interested people- even the kids! Include the group in purchasing decisions, goal setting, workshop ideas, and researching other Makerspace programs. Learn from others! Reaching out on platforms like Facebook or Google Hangouts makes collaboration come to life. These spaces can also give you great ideas for classroom makerspace. {And if you are a teacher or a media specialist this is a great way to extend your reach globally- can you say Highly Effective!}
If you know of a compelling group on Makerspace, let me know in the comments.
5 Build a Community of Makers and Tie it to Standards
Immersing your students in maker activities motivates them to create. Tying maker challenges to standards allows them to learn in a unique discovery-type manner and helps facilitate learning for our English language learners. {It also gets admin off your back when they walk through and think you are having too much fun. (Is there any such thing when you are learning?!}
I have been working on a new line of products called MakerSpace Moments in Literature and Makerspace Story Stations that focus on design projects, soft skills, student learning, help students with self-directed learning. Since I love both literature and Makerspace, this was a merging of two passions. I also wanted to bring in books and stories to the whole STEM and Maker aspect.
Don’t get me wrong, science, technology, engineering, and math are critical, but so is literature!
Each MakerSpace Moment in Literature is based on an easy-to-find storybook that presents a problem in the text. The first thing we do in school libraries or in the classroom is some compelling close reading activities- like a look at the vocabulary, questions from the story, analyzing point of view, and more. Then students are given supplies or tools and allowed to create anything that may solve the problem. Students develop a design plan and then build a better way to solve the problems in the story. There is even a chance to share and collaborate by comparing and contrasting presentations or share-outs after the project is complete. The projects are so fun! I have received excellent feedback on the MakerSpace Moments in Literature and Makerspace Story Stations. (To see for yourself, sign up below for my MakerSpace Moment in Literature FREEBIE.)
