As the school year begins to wind down, makerspace projects are a great way to keep students engaged while encouraging them to explore and flex their creative muscles at the same time. Plus, experiential learning is a great way to prepare students for real world challenges that lay ahead.
Why the “maker mentality” works
According to the World Economic Forum, 65 percent of kids entering school today will work in jobs and careers that don’t currently exist. As an educator, you’ve probably heard this statistic many times before, but one of your biggest challenges is preparing students for this very unknown future. This is where having a makerspace readily available in your classroom, as well as adopting a “maker mentality” can really help.
Hands-on, personalized, experiential learning is the perfect way to create real-world applications for classroom concepts. Giving students the opportunity to innovate and create allows them to take in what they’ve already learned and apply it to solve realistic challenges.
In addition to building effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills, makerspace projects also help kids achieve a wider range of 21st century skills like collaboration and communication, which are essential tools for successful careers.
Makerspace kits and projects to help get you started
Having access to a makerspace at school certainly makes hands-on learning easier, and kits are a great option whether you’re just starting out, or looking to expand your materials. So, if you’re looking to reinvigorate student learning, or maybe wrap up the year with some creative ideas to keeps kids exploring, check out some of our favorite kits and activities below.
Nasco Beginner Makerspace Kit
All the materials you need to create your first makerspace place and encourage students to explore and be innovative.
Nasco Individual Student Makerspace Kit
Kit in includes basic materials for an individual makerspace pack in a mesh bag.
Learn It by Art™ Makerspace STEAM Builder Kit I
All-inclusive solution that enables quick access to the art and craft materials needed to learn through STEAM-based strategies. Inspire thinking, dialogue, and creatingMaterial assortment helps students imagine, create, share, and generate lots of new ideas.
Strawbees® Maker Kit
The Strawbees® Maker Kit allows students to build, test, and modify large-scale mechanical structures with recyclable plastic connectors that are easily modified and super flexible. Designed for grades K-6.
Bristlebot STEM Project Kit
Students will build a small robot using a toothbrush head and googly eyes that will scurry along a flat surface. Adjust the balance and placement of the attachable pipe cleaners to change the way they move and behave with an easy-to-add vibrating motor. Perfect for grades 3-12.
Solar Bottle Boat Kit
Designed for grades 5-12, this kit allows students to build three different solar-powered boats using recycled
bottles.
