Making a MakerSpace
A 1-stop doc. to get your MakerSpace started - A. Middlemiss
Table of Contents -
2. What is a MakerSpace?
3. Why the Maker Movement Matters - My Mission
4. What benefits can the MakerSpace provide for my students and school?
5. Pre-Planning your MakerSpace
6. Where can I establish my MakerSpace in my school?
7. How can I build Capacity and Interest for a MakerSpace in my school?
8. MakerSpace Tools and Materials
9. MakerSpace Websites
10. MakerSpace Projects, Units and Lessons
11. MakerSpace Gallery
12. Join the MakerSpace Movement
1 - Welcome to the Educational Maker Movement!
If you have any questions, click on the e-mail link at the bottom of the page. We will do our best to respond in a timely manner. Happy making, and stay curious!
Aaron Middlemiss - MakerSpace / Maker Movement Innovator
2 - What is a MakerSpace?
- A rich, collaborative and creative environment to explore the Maker Movement, where anyone can build just about anything that they want.
- Can be equipped with a variety of high-tech and low-tech tools and maker solutions. From Legos to Sewing Machines. From 3D Printers to cardboard. If you can get your hands on it, you can use it to make something fun!
- A place that offers hands-on, practical learning experiences to all students and teachers across a multitude of curriculum, grades and subjects.
- Where students can choose to explore something they are passionate about on their free time.
- Where teachers can foster perseverance, well-being, self-advocacy, communication skills, and empowerment, by engaging students in projects and lessons that reflect modern curriculum.
- Where students can learn about important design principles and cycles; that their project is always being revisited and reworked.
Watch the video below for an in-depth look at a MakerSpace in action.
3 - Why the Maker Movement Matters - My Mission
4 - What benefits can the MakerSpace provide for my students and school?
Additional Benefits of an Educational MakerSpace.
- You can connect maker projects and lessons to the Modern Competencies (i.e. Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking).
- Students learn to focus on the Design Process principles (i.e. imagine, design, prototype, implement, problem solve, finalize, redesign or revisit).
- Students learn perseverance, how to cope with initial failures or unexpected outcomes, and how to reassess and move on in a different direction if their project stalls.
- Students examine how to find success in their missteps.
- Students explore computational thinking trough their project design phases.
- Students have a say in how the MakerSpace operates and can choose what to make within it.
- The MakerSpace is an environment of well-being and inclusion, and promotes self-confidence in the students.
- Provides opportunities to reach out to, and work with, the community.
- Offers connections to support curriculum and STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math) initiatives.
- A place where teachers can apply Digital Citizenship fundamentals (Critical Thinking, Health and Well-Being, Creation and Credit, Communication).
- Creates teaching opportunities for individual and authentic, student assessments.
- Provides an enriching, hands-on environment for students to grow.
Click here to read a CBC article about how MakerSpaces impact students.
5 - Preplanning your MakerSpace.
Before you commit to building your MakerSpace, here are some things you can do as the pieces fall into place:
- Make the choice to change your mindset. Part of getting you and your school ready for a MakerSpace, is to adopt an innovative mindset. Watch this short video for some ideas on the importance of the innovative mindset in the MakerSpace.
- Make a plan to attend any and all forms of MakerSpace PD. Find a conference or webinar that could provide you with ideas and resources. Invite staff and students to attend whenever possible.
- Make sure to read about MakerSpaces. Find some blogs and educational articles and get reading. Or, if you prefer the old-fashioned way of gathering information, here is a link to some books on MakerSpaces. Share them with anyone who would be interested in participating in your maker movement. (Here's an additional list of MakerSpace books.)
- Make some MakerSpace Connections. Find and connect with MakerSpaces in your community. Many public libraries and post secondary schools have MakerSpaces you can drop in and visit.
- Make a Budget. Have a budget ready to go, and do some research on the tools and supplies you might need. Here's a link to a Google Sheet of supplies you can replicate and add to.
- Make time to review board policies. Be familiar with any school board policies that could impact your MakerSpace.
- Make the students part of the process. Listen to your students for ideas, and invite them to be a part of the design phase of your new MakerSpace right from the start. Their voice is going to drive the MakerSpace forward.
Here is an additional link of things to consider before you make your MakerSpace.
6 - Where can I establish my MakerSpace in my school?
1. Full Room MakerSpace
Schools throughout Ontario are converting their computer labs and vacant portable into full room MakerSpaces. These open concept MakerSpaces can provide plenty of room for students to work and further opportunities for the space to grow. Storage of supplies and room for large projects will be right at home in this repurposed space.
PROs of the Full Room MakerSpace
- Can accommodate full or multiple classes
- Room to expand and add more stations
- Room for larger projects and equipment storage
CONs of the Full Room MakerSpace
- Can become difficult to maintain and organize
- Higher Cost / Investment
- Too many tools, resources can be overwhelming
Click here to see a video about how this school converted a portable into a MakerSpace!
2. Creative Commons / Library MakerSpaces
Teacher-Librarians are now revitalizing their libraries by converting them into a Creative Commons work area, complete with MakerSpace stations to fuel their pupils curiosity for making. This can be the perfect fit for your school if you are starting on a tight budget, or do not have a vacant classroom to rework from the ground up.
PROs of the Creative Commons MakerSpace
- Cost effective solution
- Can still accommodate a full class or large group
- Can offer a rotating variety of workstations and tools based on student interests
CONs of the Creative Commons MakerSpace
- Equipment storage may require a secondary location
- Demand for shared space may increase and require scheduling
- May pose difficulties in supervising and maintaining the space.
Click on this link to see a video of a Creative Commons MakerSpace in action!
3. Mobile MakerSpace Cart
PROs for the Mobile MakerSpace Cart
- Low investment / Cost effective solution
- Can be easily moved from room to room
- Easy to maintain and stock for students
CONs for the Mobile MakerSpace Cart
- Cannot accommodate large equipment
- Overstock will require secondary storage solution
- Supply management and maintenance must be closely monitored and updated before sharing with another teacher
Click here to watch a short video on how you can use a Mobile MakerSpace Cart in your school!
7 - How can I build Capacity and Interest for a MakerSpace in my school?
Informal Drop-In / Open House - Have times where students and teachers can just come to the MakerSpace and try out something fun. No formal lessons required!
Quick Challenge Cards - Provide students some laminated cards with MakerSpace activities to challenge their ingenuity. Click here or here for some ideas.
After School / Lunch Hour Maker Clubs - Start a club that taps into the students' interest. This is often a common starting point for most MakerSpaces.
MakerSpace Challenges, Competitions and Co-Ventures - Organized by teachers, administrators or students, either in school involving one or more classes, or between other schools and districts in the board. The ventures may be competitive (who can build a Lego robot that can lift a 1 kilo weight?) or collaborative.
Passion / Genius Week Projects - Many teachers find it difficult to maintain student engagement and attendance the week before a major holiday or break. The passion / genius week projects can be introduced during those weeks to keep students engaged by inviting them to use the MakerSpace to build something they are passionate about. Click here to watch students and teachers take part in a Hovercraft genius project. Here's a blog that details what one school did for their Genius projects.
A MakerSpace MakerFaire - During an Open House event, or Parent Teacher Interview night, students can showcase the MakerSpace to friends and family.
MakerSpace Student Leaders - Students that assist other students and teachers with a variety of MakerSpace projects. Students can develop helpful resources for students, and teach the staff about the ins-and-outs of the new MakerSpace tools.
Field Trips - Students and teachers can regularly tour MakerSpaces found in public libraries, colleges and universities to gather new ideas.
Community Involvement - Community members are invited in to teach new maker skills, or students participate in a project that connects to their community or a local/global social justice issue.
A Boardwide MakerFaire & Symposium - Once your school has established a MakerSpace and innovative / growth movement among the staff and students, you may wish to explore hosting a MakerFaire & Symposium. This will provide students a chance to demonstrate and showcase their talents, and for educators to build their capacity among other MakerSpace instructors aas they share and collect MakerSpace ideas and resources.
8 - MakerSpace Tools and Materials
Is it 3D printers and new computers?
Or is it more about a growth mindset, and what your students are interested in or passionate about?
So don't rush out and grab those robotics kits if your students aren't even going to pick them up. Don't be afraid to start small. Some of the best ideas happen with needle and thread, cardboard and tape, or aluminum foil and AA batteries. Give them an idea, and see what they can make with what they have. Once the students are off and running, then start to explore more making options.
Questions to Ask (Before you buy...)
- Would my students be interested in this <insert MakerSpace tool here>?
- Do we already have some MakerSpace tools and resources on hand?
- Does anyone in my school board have MakerSpace tools I can borrow?
- Does my school board have MakerSpace supplies on hand already?
- Does my school board permit me to raise additional funds or accept donated materials for my MakerSpace?
- Am I going to need other accessories or resources to use this new tool?
- Are there any companies I can reach out to for equipment and supply donations?
- Are there any grants or board funds I can access for an innovation project?
- How much of the stuff that I want in my MakerSpace do I actually have to buy?
If you can answer even one of those questions, you're going to save some time and money. You might even make some contacts and start building your own MakerSpace network as a result.
For those that want to do a little shopping (or just to see some of the possible things you should be stocking in your MakerSpace) check out our MakerSpace Supply List.
9 - MakerSpace Websites
Make: - A webzine all about the maker movement
MakerEd - Educational MakerSpace Website
Makerspaces.com - All about Makerspaces!
More links coming soon!
10 - MakerSpace Projects, Units and Lessons
Leading Learning - Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada
Together for Learning - School Libraries and the Emergence of the Learning Commons
Renovated Learning - Educational MakerSpace Resources
Edutopia - Articles about making, STEM and MakerSpaces
Colleen Graves - Tons of MakerSpace project ideas
Meaningful Making: Projects and Inspirations for Fab Labs + Makerspaces
More links coming soon!
11 - MakerSpace Gallery
12 - Join the MakerSpace Network!
A little bit about me...
Website: www.cubeforteachers.com/profile/Amiddlemiss
Location: Ontario, Canada
Twitter: @ssimelddimteach