A makerspace is a place for students to explore their interests and share their learning with others. Whether using their hands or a device, students are creating and learning more about what they like. Students may be working on solutions to problems in their lives, making cards/crafts for themselves or family members, or writing a code stream to program a new video game. This gives students a space to be themselves and work on interests that they may not otherwise have time for in their lives.

See the video below, created by an elementary school librarian, for a more detailed explanation:

Our students are extremely talented! They have diverse interests from programming to sculpture to writing music. By having a makerspace in our school, we are giving students the opportunity to explore aspects of themselves that they may not have the ability to pursue either in or outside of the typical school day.

Our students are also busy! With many other commitments, some students find that there simply isn't enough time in the day to enjoy everything they do. With the addition of a makerspace, students will have the space, supplies, and hopefully time to develop their passion.

Finally, students need the opportunity to develop leadership skills. In makerspaces, students are able to show off their talents and help others develop those skills. Students who may not be as outspoken in the classroom may be able to find their voice in a more small-group setting and build their confidence. These are necessary skills that our incredibly talented students will need as they progress throughout life.

There are so many reasons why a makerspace should be housed in the school library! First, our library is about learning: students learning about themselves and their world around them through reading, researching, and now making. Students learn by doing, whether it be through taking notes or building a prototype for a new invention.

Also, in a makerspace, students naturally use an inquiry process: asking questions, being curious, and wanting to learn more. This is exactly what libraries are used for now - only we're focused now on reading and absorbing information. In a makerspace, students are focused on creating knowledge; that is, taking what they know and making something to demonstrate their understanding or application of a particular idea.

One of the aspects of a library that is most important is the idea of access. We provide all users access to all kinds of ideas, topics, and methods of learning. This also applies in a makerspace. Students' families may not have the financial ability to provide materials for all of their students' interests, or may not want to invest in something their student just wants to try out. This is where a makerspace comes in! With a variety of supplies geared for all kinds of projects and interests, a makerspace allows students to try something new, free of charge. The library is essential to providing access for all opportunities, whether it be reading, research, and now, making.

Students are allowed to work in the makerspace independently during their Rock Time period, as long as there is no class using it.

Students can also sign up for Maker Time after school from 3:30-4:40 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Use the After School Website to sign up!

Click here for a list of supplies we would love to be donated to our new space. We welcome additional items not on the list as well.

Also let us know if you are a maker! Do you scrapbook? Build stuff? Do computer-related projects? Make videos? We are looking for parents to come in and teach some workshops to our students during Maker Time.

Questions? Email Librarian Rachel Grover (ragrover@fcps.edu) for more details!

Email Librarian Rachel Grover (ragrover@fcps.edu)

for more details or to ask any questions you may have.

Thanks for your support!

We are so excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our students.