Makerspace 4 — Where to find ideas?

So you’ve done it! You’ve secured a space for after-school makerspace. You’ve gotten donations and a grant. Now what do you teach? Teachers have their own idea of creativity; of what to build (or take apart), and the importance of hands-on learning.

So what do you build? Or take apart?

First thing is to know what direction you are heading. Are you going to have multiple projects at the same time? Or one at a time? Are you going to touch on arts like writing, photography, or videos? Or are you staying with the building end of makerspace?

The Internet is a trove of information. If you have enough time to sift through articles and links to other articles, you should start there.

Every makerspace is unique and the projects that are worked on inside of them are also very diverse.
Here are just some of the things you can do in a makerspace:

• Coding
• 3d printing
• Laser cutting
• Soldering
• Electronics / Arduino
• Robot building / Robotics
• Learn Circuits and Electricity with paper circuits
• Sewing
• Wood working
• Take-a-part sessions
• Inventing

According to Edutopia, students love tinkering with Snap Circuits, littleBits, K’NEX, Lego, Makey Makey, and Sphero during get-togethers. Owning all of these resources does not lead to learning, though. Let kids tinker and play, but eventually you’ll have to guide their learning by creating design challenges.

Here is a list of resources picked up from the Internet. I’m sure you can find many more.

• Librarian’s Guide to littleBits – Organization tips, project ideas, and interviews with other maker librarians.
• Big Book of Makerspace Projects – Coauthored with Aaron Graves (there is a charge for this book)
• Makerspace Ideas – 60+ ideas from all different sources, including Twitter and Makerspace.
• 9 Maker Projects for Beginner Maker Ed Teachers – nine class-tested, teacher-approved ideas, which can be built using a few tools for K–8 students.
• Makezine: Makezine is a website devoted to the makerspace movement. Get news, project ideas, guides, and kits to begin building your own makerspaces.
• Makerspaces.com: This link features 60+ makerspace project ideas of every level, from simple to complex. Additionally, you can download a free PDF listing 100 suggested materials and supplies for your makerspace.
• Edutopia: This is Edutopia’s extensive list of projects and resources. It’s a gold mine of information for makerspace enthusiasts of every level.
• Renovated Learning: Here are 4 makerspace project ideas for when you’re on a strict budget. Also, be sure to check out their resources for further learning.
• Teach.com: Beginning with makerspaces can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be with these 9 ideas for beginners. Most use traditional materials to challenge and inspire learning, so they’re perfect for first projects.
• Colleen Graves: Colleen is a high school librarian, a Certified Google Educator, and a Google Education Trainer. This is her own treasure trove of project ideas and resources for makerspaces.
• Getting Smart: Here are 16 makerspace project ideas from teachers who’ve tested them.
• Lego Education:  LEGO Education Maker is a continuum of makerspace activities centered around the iconic LEGO brick

If a student is creating, designing, building, and problem solving, then the space can be a makerspace. You can also use your space for teaching photography, journaling, and other subjects. It doesn’t have to be high tech.

As author John Spencer states, makerspaces aren’t an escape from learning. They’re not bonus activities to fill up extra time. They exist because making is vital to life on Earth. Creative thinking is as vital as math or reading or writing. There’s power in problem-solving and experimenting and taking things from questions to ideas to authentic products that you launch to the world.

Something happens in students when they define themselves as makers and inventors and creators. Don’t be hesitant to bring that out of your students.

Next post: Testimony