MAKER MOVEMENT

A primer for leaders keeping pace with the evolving STEM classroom

THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE

Encourage learning and movement in an interactive environment!

With the integration of new science standards around the United States, educators now face requirements of integrating inquiry-based pedagogy into their teaching while incorporating interdisciplinary content through science, technology, engineering, and math.

About Makerspaces

A makerspace is any venue that promotes creativity, design-thinking, and tinkering. A makerspace can live on a cart, in a closet, in the corner of a classroom, or even have its own wing at a school. Since makerspaces can exist in so many spaces, it’s important to define the goals of these environments to understand how to facilitate this open-ended learning style. This document serves as a primer on makerspace education for educators working to provide an optimal learning environment for their students. We hope you will utilize the data and research referenced throughout to promote insightful conversation about the benefits of incorporating active learning in your makerspace.

Makerspaces and STEM Education

To understand how science is utilized, students should engage in the engineering design process, the iterative cycle of design that applies science knowledge in the classroom while engaging in engineering practices.8 Makerspaces or fabrication labs are an environment where students can engage in the engineering design process using hands-on and inquiry-based methodologies.

Hands-on learning provides more motivation in the classroom by connecting real-world examples to otherwise intangible content. Makerspaces provide students with hands-on implementation of STEM concepts and encourage students to ask questions and create

solutions to real problems. Students acquire a skillset that includes communication, time management, critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving, and more.

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What is the MAKER MOVEMENT?

THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE MAKER MOVEMENT | 3

Why ACTIVE?

Science of ACTIVE LEARNING6

In classrooms around the country, educators are replacing traditional, front-to-back seating with a collaborative and active approach that allows students’ unique learning styles room to breathe. Whether providing a plethora of seat and desk styles or removing them altogether, a revolution in makerspace and classroom learning is growing. Giving students the chance to create their own space lets them take the lead and learn in the ways they are most comfortable and confident.

Oxygen flow to the brain

leads to neurogenesis — or the production of neurons in the parts of your brain that control memory and thinking.

Neurogenesis increases brain volume. This cognitive reserve is also believed

to help buffer against the effects of dementia.

It has been noted that

exercise promotes

the production of neurotrophins,

leading to greater brain

plasticity, and therefore,

better memory and learning.

Physical activity (also

known as cardio) raises your heart rate and increases blood flow to your brain. Increased

heart rate is accompanied

by harder and faster

breathing depending

on the intensity of

your workout. As your

increased breathing

pumps more oxygen into

your bloodstream, more oxygen is delivered to your brain.

Physical activity results in an increase in neurotransmitters

in the brain, specifically serotonin

and norepinephrine, which boost information processing

and mood.

80% Students in a school district in Maine who improved their test scores with implementation of stability balls1

4 | THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE MAKER MOVEMENT

72% of students report that the active learning STEM course made them more interested in the subject overall7

Benefits of physical

activity for the mind:

Improved concentration & memory

Faster cognitive processing speed

Increased performance on standardized academic tests

Students are roughly

30%more confident in their STEM career abilities when creative learning is part of their classroom experience3

Benefits of ACTIVE MAKERSPACES

MAKING encourages students to4:

embrace their mistakes

navigate their own learning

experiment in the classroom

free their natural curiosity

46%increase in efficiency when standing while working2

THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE MAKER MOVEMENT | 5

10% of elementary students regularly engage in “practices of science” (hands-on instruction and labs, data analysis, and writing)5

The Ultimate MAKE RSPACE CHECKLIST

Define the Why

Read the educational research.

Dive into the pedagogy.

What does “makerspace” mean to you?

What should the students learn?

How will the students learn?

What is the role of the teacher?

How will it fit into standards?

What soft skills will it develop?

How will it define relationships?

What do you currently own?

What can be repurposed?

What is the budget for new items?

What consumables will you use?

Are there tools worth investing in?

How will you pay for future wear and tear?

Who will use it?

Where will it be located?

What size will it be?

Will it be mobile or stationary?

Inside or outside?

How will you make it accessible?

What are the objectives of the space?

Will parents or PTO be involved?

Will other teachers be involved?

Are there any available donors?

Can anyone in the community help?

Can a government program assist?

Can older students facilitate?

Can paraprofessionals help?

Set up teacher training.

Set up volunteer training.

Train on equipment maintenance.

Involve your IT department.

Brief your administrators.

Train students with safe practices.

Define a process for student use.

Define Roles and Outcomes

Define Your Resources

Define Your Space

Define Your Partnerships

Define Training and Safety

6 | THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE MAKER MOVEMENT

How is it working?

How can you “score” students?

What behaviors do you notice?

Are you achieving your planned outcomes?

How will you communicate successes to your administration?

Who sets up the space?

Who cleans up the space?

Define a replenishment timeline.

What services/repairs are required?

How will you expand and grow your program?

Define Assessment Methods

Why Connect Your Makerspace and Active Learning?

Define Maintenance

Makerspace

Emphasis on learning through inquiry

Promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity

An environment that allows students to engage in hands‑on methodologies through active seating and activities is an environment that promotes retention

of complex, interdisciplinary STEM ideas.

Active Learning+

Emphasis on learning through activity

Improves core stability and reduces fidgets

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8 | THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE MAKER MOVEMENT

MAKERSPACE LayoutsMake any space a makerspace with these layout options for different size makerspaces.

Smal

l Mak

ersp

ace

Full

Cla

ssro

om M

aker

spac

e

KEY: FabricationStation™ Deluxe

Mobile 24 Tray Tower

Makerspace Robotics Charging Station (wall-mounted)

SmartStudy® Fold’N Store Desk

SmartStudy® Innovator Table

SmartStudy® Teaming Center

SmartStudy® Whiteboard Desk

SaddlED™ Desk Chair

Kore™ Kids Adjustable Wobble Stool or TiltED™ Active Seats

Standard Classroom Desk

Teacher Desk

Teacher Desk

THE CASE FOR EMBRACING THE MAKER MOVEMENT | 9

Active Desk and Table OptionsSmartStudy® Fold’N Store DeskLightweight and mobile desk that can be utilized in any space to promote individualized or collaborative work spaces and stored in an already tight learning environment.

SmartStudy® Innovator TableA multi-purpose, mobile, collaborative station with ample storage that can be used as a stationary or mobile STEM center.

SmartStudy® Teaming CenterA collaborative work space with great storage that is ideal for creating a custom makerspace.

SmartStudy® Whiteboard DeskMobile, multi-use, and ideal for creating a work space that students can utilize as a standard desk or as a mobile whiteboard.

Active Seating OptionsSaddlED™ Desk ChairA lightweight mobile work space that enables a student to work from the comfort of a desk while incorporating core engagement and mobility.

TiltED™ Active SeatsStudents can rock their fidgets our with an active stool that promotes positive posture and engagement, while enabling students to be mobile.

Kore™ Kids Adjustable Wobble StoolsAn adjustable stool that accommodates students of all sizes while building in core engagement and fidget reduction. Ideal for collaborative or individualized work environments.

STEM Storage OptionsFabricationStation™ Deluxe A comprehensive mobile makerspace kit that provides and organizes all the supplies required for hands-on tinkering.

Mobile 24‑Tray Tower A mobile storage solution to keep building supplies and tools organized and accessible.

Makerspace Robotics Charging Station A wall-mounted, lockable charging solution for robotics, virtual reality, and mobile devices.Mobile 24‑Tray Tower

SmartStudy® Innovator Table

SmartStudy® Teaming Center

TiltED™ Active Seats

SmartStudy® Fold’N Store Desk

FabricationStation™ Deluxe

Makerspace Robotics Charging

Station

Kore™ Kids Adjustable Wobble Stools

SaddlED™ Desk Chair

SmartStudy® Whiteboard Desk

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FACT Check

More RESOURCES

1. Aroostook County WittFitt Pilot Project Report, March 2013.

2. Benden, M, Zhao, H, Jeffrey, C., Wendel, M, Blake, J. (2014). The Evaluation of the Impact of a Stand-Biased Desk on Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity for Elementary School Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 9361-9375.

3. Student Research Foundation (2016). STEM Classroom to Career: Opportunities to Close the Gap. Retrieved at studentresearch.org.

4. The Intel Corporation (2015). Learning in the Making. Retrieved from elearninginfographics.com.

5. The Education Trust-West (2015). California STEM Education: By the Numbers. Retrieved from https://west.edtrust.org/

6. Ratey, John J. Hagerman, Eric (2008). Spark: the revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain. New York: Little, Brown.

7. University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. (2019, December). UNC Active Learning. Retrieved from complexstories.com/clientprojects/active-learning. 8. National Research Council. (2012). A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. Committee on a Conceptual Framework for New K-12 Science Education Standards. Board on Science Education, Division of Behavioral and Social Science and Education. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

blog.stem‑supplies.com stemuniverse.com blog.moving‑minds.com

Active Learning Resources & Research

STEM Funding Finder

Professional Learning Networks & Blogs

NOW ENTERING AN

L E A R N I N G

ZONE

ACTIVE

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ACTIVE MAKERSPACE PartnersIn 1947, Gopher Athletic Supply Company—later known as Gopher Sport—was founded in Owatonna, Minnesota as a sporting goods company selling equipment and uniforms to high schools throughout the state. Since then, Gopher has continued to expand its reach with the creation of four other business units: Play with a Purpose® (early childhood products) in 1995, Gopher Performance (fitness equipment) in 2007, Moving Minds (active classroom furniture) in 2014, and STEM Supplies (STEM education resources) in 2018.

stem‑supplies.com | 1‑855‑826‑4540 moving‑minds.com | 1‑855‑858‑8552

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STEM Supplies is a one-stop shop for STEM and makerspace products and resources. We believe STEM is a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning skills applicable to the increasingly important fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM environments nurture collaboration, problem-solving, and discovery where learning is student-lead, failure is embraced, and creativity is encouraged.

Moving Minds was created to bring physical activity into the classroom. With only one quarter of our nation’s children and adolescents participating in the scientifically-recommended 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day and an emphasis by schools on preparing students for standardized testing, it has become more evident than ever that our students need to have activity brought into their classrooms.

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