Where to begin?

Hello, fellow Educators. So from my last blog posting it was evident from the comments that educators wanted to know where to start when wanting to implement Makerspace into the classroom. This blog will give you suggested steps to use when setting up your Makerspace. In this blog you will also read about materials that I suggest you start off with when just beginning Makerspace. Happy Reading :) 

As An Educator, Where Do I Begin? 

We know that Makerspace is an area that provides students with hands-on and creative ways to design, experiment and invent as they participate in science, engineering and tinerking topics. What we do not know is where to begin. I have come up with 6 simple steps that will make the step up process much easier and less stressful. 

View These Useful Resources That Will Help With Setting Up Your Makerspace

 Resource 1

Resource 2

Resource 3

 

 How To Stay Up To Date With Other Teachers Using Makerspace 

These teachers currently use Makerspace as a part of their classroom. Follow them on Twitter for ideas that you can use to incorporate into your classroom. 

@BrightLibrarian 

@read4life 

@koehnkfisher 

@terteach

@KitchellS 

@DianaLRendina 

@plemmonsa 

@smartinez 

@gravescolleen 

Twitter Hashtags 

You Can Also Search These Hashtags On Twitter to learn more about Makerspace and get great ideas from other educators. 

#makered

#makerspace

What Materials Do I Use? 

The best way to decide which tools should be incorporated into your Makerspace, comes down to budget! How much money you have to spend will determine what materials and tools you get. Below I am going to list high-tech and no-tech materials, so no matter what your budget is, you can still make your space successful. 

HIGH-TECH MATERIALS

• 3D printers
• littleBits
• MaKey MaKey
• Sphero Robotic Balls
• Ollie
• OSMO
• ipads-loaded with production apps
• Robotics Materials-WeDo/Lego Mindstorm EV3
• Motors 
• LED lights
• Snap Circuits
• Dash and Dot Robots
• Cubelet Robots

NO-TECH MATERIALS

• Craft supplies
• Cardboard
• Plastic materials
• Paper
• Styrofoam
• Paint
• Collage materials
• Rainbow Loom
• Knitting and crochet supplies
• Legos
• TinkerToys
• K'Nex
• Attribute blocks
• Box rivets (Makedo and/or Mr. McGroovy)
• Plastimake

OTHER MATERIALS

• Sewing machines
• Old electronics for tinkering
• Electric Keyboard
• Tinkering tools
• How-To books
• Video production materials-green screen and lighting

Make The Most Of Your Materials .... Check Out This YouTube Video

On A Budget? .... Check Out This YouTube Video

View This Infograhic On Ways That You Can Fund Your Makerspace 
Click Here

Makerspace In My Classroom

I have not yet incorporated Makerspace into my classroom as this is a new trend to me. However, I plan on incorporating Makerspace this upcoming school year. My classroom is pretty large and I plan on setting it up along a long wall and shelf that I have. The wall has outlets which will be useful for the technology tools. Also, under the shelf there is storage, which will house the materials and tools. I am excited to be implementing Makerspace. I plan on making this a center rotation, so it will not take away from other required academic activities. Comment if you have resources or ideas for me! I will keep you updated with posts and photos once I begin the set up. 

Share With Me What You Have Learned By Answering Questions On Google Form

Resources Used In This Blog:

Davee, S., Regalla, L., & Chang, S. (2015, May). Makerspaces highlights of select literature. Retrieved from http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Makerspace-Lit-Review-5B.pdf

Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2015). NMC Horizon Report: 2015 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2015-nmc-horizon-report-k12-EN.pdf

Scholastic.com (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2018, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2011/05/your-kids-can-do-it-quick-free-and-easy-stop-motion-videos

Wagner, T., & Compton, R.A. (2012). Creating innovators: the making of young people who will change the world (1sr Scribner hardcover ed.). New York: Scribbler

Makerspace

What is Makerspace?

It is a place where people can gather to collaboratively work. The shared workspace is use to learn and create. The mind set behind Makerspace is to create something from nothing. Makerspace allows individuals to explore their own interest while utilizing a variety of tools. "The maker movement is about teaching and learning that is focused on student centered inquiry. This is not the project done at the end of a unit of learning, but the actual vehicle and purpose of the learning." (Wagner, 2012)

Advantages of Using Makerspace in the Classroom

Teachers have seen a increase in student engagement and motivation because. Makerspace is based off of student interest. Students engage with 21st century learning, which prepares them for the "real world". “There are essential elements of educating young people to become innovators: the value of hands-on projects where students have to solve a real world problem and demonstrate mastery; the importance of learning to draw on academic content from multiple disciplines to solve a problem; learning to work in teams” (Wagner & Compton, 2012, p. 52).

Click Here To Read Why Makerspace is so important in the classroom.

What does Makerspace look like in Education? 

Makerspace's do not need to take up a lot of space. You can create one in the classroom, Library, common areas, public/private facility or lab. Makerspace can also be mobile with the use of buckets and carts. The space is determined by the teachers/schools and the available budgets. "Makerspaces come in all shapes and sizes, but they all serve as a gathering point for tools, projects, mentors, and expertise. A collection of tools does not define a makerspace. Rather, we define it by what it enables: making." Makerspace Playbook School Edition 2013

This Makerspace community gallery shows the endless possibilities on how to incorporate Makerspace no matter how big or small the space.  

What kind of tools are needed in a Makerspace? 

The great thing about Makerspace is you have the freedom to include the materials that are based off of the interests of your students. Some examples of the tools that can be found are: carboard, Legos, 3D printers, laser printers, sewing machines, etc...

This video shows two teachers that have incorporated different tools in the classroom that are cost effective and safe. 

    

 

View This Infogrpahic To Learn More About Makerspace 

                       Makerspace is on the RISE! See how Makerspace is becoming a emerging trend. 

Want To Learn More About Makerspace? View These Resources Below: 

 Link 1: Articles, links and more

Link 2: Makerspace Playbook : Everything you need to know about Makerspace and how to set one up

Take a tour of a Makerspace at Christie Elementary School

Benefits of Makerspace in the classroom. 

Resources Used In This Blog:

Davee, S., Regalla, L., & Chang, S. (2015, May). Makerspaces highlights of select literature. Retrieved from http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Makerspace-Lit-Review-5B.pdf

Johnson, L., Adams Becker, S., Estrada, V., and Freeman, A. (2015). NMC Horizon Report: 2015 K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved from http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2015-nmc-horizon-report-k12-EN.pdf

Scholastic.com (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2018, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2011/05/your-kids-can-do-it-quick-free-and-easy-stop-motion-videos

Wagner, T., & Compton, R.A. (2012). Creating innovators: the making of young people who will change the world (1sr Scribner hardcover ed.). New York: Scribbler