I LOVE makerspace!
In the makerspace,
a cardboard
tube becomes...
​
a crown
a shark
a bee
"Creativity is intelligence having fun."
a race car
a cat
a barbell
a minion
I am a huge fan of creativity. In a day and age where many of our students choose digital devices over books and video games over, well, pretty much anything else, I am constantly looking for ways to engage their minds. Our kids do not know how to be bored, and unfortunately, that is not a good thing! For an excellent article on the topic, please read this piece from the New York Times.
​
To summarize the article in just a few words, it is boredom that leads to great ideas. Now, I'm not advocating that we bore our students. But I am absolutely suggesting that we close the Chromebooks, turn off the iPads, and shut down the screens. I'm suggesting putting actual materials in our students' hands, and encouraging them to MAKE something. I'm suggesting that we STOP suggesting, and let our kids come up with their own ideas.
​
If that sounds scary or too unstructured, look at what my students did with a simple toilet paper tube. Our kids have incredible minds, but they need a place where they can explore, create, and imagine. For a very simple start, try one of the ideas on the right. I'll update them regularly, so no excuses! Get making!
The 5 W's of Makerspace
What?
Who?
When?
Where?
Why?
A makerspace is a place where children can come together to invent, collaborate, and learn. It provides an assortment of materials and tools that students use to design, build, and create. The more variety the better!
Students of ALL ages can benefit from a makerspace. Kindergarteners and middle schoolers can approach the same problem, solving it with different levels of complexity.
A makerspace can be tucked into a corner or fill a room. It can sit on a shelf or roll on a cart. To start off, a makerspace can even be in a box!
Makerspaces can be used whenever the opportunity arises. Whether they are used for centers, indoor recess, after school programs, STEM/STEAM time, enrichment, or as a classroom reward, the "when" is up to you!
Why have a makerspace? Because it fosters imagination, exploration, discovery, engagement, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, fun, and authentic learning with a purpose!