A Makerspace
“serves 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”.
“A Makerspace is a learning environment rich with possibilities”.
From MakerSpace.com
Beginnings: What & Why of the Makerspace
Maker Ingredients
Space
Tools and Materials
Programming
Makerspace Mindset
Source: Makerspace Playbook School Edition
Nuts and Bolts
Inventory
Budget
Safety
Getting Started
Documenting
WI Makerspaces
Maker Movement was spurred by new technologies which encourage experimental play.
2005 MAKE magazine launched by MAKERSPACE , Sebastopol, CA
2006 First Maker Faire hosted
Believe if you can imagine it you can make it
Seek out opportunities to learn to do new things
A community of creative people who help one another do better
Celebrate other makers
Experimental play is a source of creativity, inspiration and innovation.
Formal education does not make room for play in curriculum
Jet Propulsion Lab
Making is innovative and resourceful
Intrinsically motivated
Identify challenges and are persistent
Take risks, are creative & open-minded
Learn to collaborate as well as take and give advice
Develop a sense of social responsibility
Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration by Scott Doorley and Scott Witthoft.
Space should be conducive to inspiration, collaboration and conversation
Balance between promoting social interaction and privacy
Aim for easily changed layouts for your space
Include “hang out “ areas if possible
Assess what your Maker Space requires before buying materials
Acquire general-use equipment before task-specific tools
Keep in mind that equipment begets equipment
Include a first aid kit
Page 10 of Makerspace Playbook has a tool list
Starter projects
Crafts for Kids
Howtoons
Browse MAKE:
Projects
Exploratorium’s
Tinkering Studio
Defining scope
Setting schedules
Teaching new skills and keeping it fresh
Working together and apart
• Making is about
developing one’s
full potential
• Everyone is a
maker
• Our world is what
we make it
• It’s all right to
make mistakes
• We help one
another do better
Find an advocate with a wallet
Beg and Borrow
RECYCLE
Buy Used
Just in-time purchasing
Partner with other teachers
See Resources in Makerspace Playbook for “Makerspace in a Box” toolkit
Dream Big, Start Small
Ask your Parent Teacher Organization for help
Wait for critical mass to purchase items
Ask for donations over the summer
Plan for safety
Post safety checklists
Use tools right
Dress right
Clean up
Create a set of behavioral expectations and common safety rules and discuss them with makers
Spread your idea
Identify student makers
Come up with an identity
Find funding
Setup a website or blog
Recruit mentors
Set a deadline and meeting dates
2014 inaugural year, Corey hosting three events after school from 6-8pm for students and parents.
1st event in January was to make anything participants wanted to with the goal being to explore the maker concept.
2nd event was to make games for the school carnival in March
3rd event in April is aimed at making things with 3D modeling software.
Currently do not have drop-in hours
Concept: VV Makerspace reflects a conceptual shift in the LMC overall. Information can be made into something else just like cardboard or wires.
Planning: Started planning Fall 2013 for 3-4 events in 2014
Funding: Building funds for some light art supplies and glue guns. Most of what we used was recyclable
materials and was donated.
For the 3D printing night, might charge a nominal fee to cover costs of materials or have it remain free to build interest in technology and process. The PTO and private donations funded 3D printer.
• Inspiration was the
quote:
"An avalanche begins with
a snowflake”
~Joseph Compton
• 2200 students and 150
staff and almost every
person created a
snowflake
• Many teachers
incorporated the activity
into their lesson plans.
• Project inspired by Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Celebration by Christy Hale
• First graders rotated through 5 stations using a variety of materials to build.
• Dedicated two class sessions so each student could visit each station.
• Each station had an iPad to allow students to document their work.
Photos: http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/10/dreaming-up.htmlstations
Book Jacket Image: Lee and Low