SKMP News
The Newsletter of the South Kern Mathematics Partnership
Inquiring Minds...
Hi everyone!
Some of you have inquired about other STEM Tools, training, and makerspaces. This newsletter is devoted to answering (hopefully) your questions and sharing resources. Enjoy!
STEM Tools
There are endless lists of STEM tools out there that are just a Google search away. Keep in mind that this list is not the ultimate list of tools...it's just one list of many. That said, you don't need to pay money for a cart full of expensive tools. We started out our learning journey together with Trash (for Teachers)! ;)
- CoDrone - http://www.robolink.com/codrone/
- GIS Tools - http://www.esri.com/industries/education/schools
- 3D Printers - https://robo3d.com/
- Sparkfun Microcontrollers and Tools - https://www.sparkfun.com/categories/featured
- Makey Makey - http://www.makeymakey.com/
- Raspberry Pi - https://www.raspberrypi.org/
- Sphero Bots - http://www.sphero.com/sprk-plus
- Tinkering Labs - https://www.tinkeringlabs.com/
- Carvey by Inventables - https://www.inventables.com/technologies/carvey
- AmScope - http://www.amscope.com/
- Laser Cutters - https://glowforge.com/
- Little Bits - http://littlebits.cc/
- K'Nex - http://www.knex.com/
- Circuit Scribe - https://www.circuitscribe.com/
- Modular Robotics - http://www.modrobotics.com/
- Edison Robotics - https://meetedison.com/
- Bee-Bots - https://www.bee-bot.us/
- Makedo Cardboard Construction - https://www.make.do/
- Oculus Rift - https://www.oculus.com/rift/
Happy Exploring!
STEM Training
Some of the best options for tinkering training can be found online (Youtube, company websites, etc.). Here are a couple that you know and maybe one that you don't:
- Instructables - http://www.instructables.com/
- Makezine - http://makezine.com/
- Makershed - https://www.makershed.com/collections/make-magazine
- Sonoma State University Maker Certificate Program - https://www.sonoma.edu/exed/maker-certificate/
Happy Learning!
Makerspaces
Makerspaces are trending and as fancy as they sound they're not out of reach. You can set aside an entire classroom in your school that's devoted to making and inventing or you can set aside a corner of your classroom. The most important part of a makerspace is the growth mindset approach to creativity! In the STEM tools section I listed a couple of big-price items that you might include in a permanent makerspace (3D printer, laser cutter, 3D carving machine). Keep in mind that portable solutions for these precision machines can be tricky because bumpy rides can take a toll on their parts. Below are a couple of resources that might help you get started:
- Mobile Makerspaces - https://www.makerspaces.com/resources-for-starting-and-running-a-mobile-makerspace/
- How to Create a Makerspace - https://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/11/18/how-to-create-a-makerspace.aspx
- Designing a School Makerspace - https://www.edutopia.org/blog/designing-a-school-makerspace-jennifer-cooper
Happy Maker-ing!