Wow, I am so excited!  I just found out about this brand new emerging trend called Makerspaces. How many times have you wanted to put the text books aside and challenge your students to tap into their creative juices? I am so overjoyed to engage my students in the creative process by using Makerspaces.  I can present my students with a task and allow them to imagine and create anything their mind can dream of. I know that you will find this new trend valuable in your classroom, so come on this journey with me.  I decided to begin this blog to document my students’ journey into problem solving and into higher order thinking by collaborating with others and showcasing their experiences.






               You will be able to create your own Makerspace in your classroom.  It’s easy and fun for both of you and your students.  Do you have a spare corner in your room?  Or an old reading cubby?  Transform it into a space where you can present tasks to your students and they can work together to creatively solve problems.  I’m sure you’re wondering how much will this cost?  It doesn’t cost a thing and it’s easy to get started.  The best part about Makerspaces is you design the layout of your space, no one Makerspace has to look like another.  You can use any supplies you have.  For example; pipe cleaners, straws, duct tape, recycled water bottles, your options are endless. For instance, I presented my students with the task of designing a planter for our new plants that will allow water to seep through. Recently my students started grow lima beans and they were quickly presented with a problem.  I told them their plants were drowning from being over-watered and the water not being able to escape and they had to come up with a solution.  As you can see finding tasks for your students to solve are easy and present themselves daily.  My students came up with awesome designs for their new planters. They are extremely proud of their planters and can’t wait to transplant their plants to see how well they work.  What problems can you envision that your students would want to solve? Please add your comments or questions.


Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 15, 2018 at 12:16 PM

    Hi Dana!
    I am loving learning more about MakerSpaces and how people are implementing them in their own classrooms. I have chose this topic for my blog as well and have similar ideas as you. I love that it can be cost friendly and so easy to get started. I love that you presented your students with a problem related to your science unit and let them create the solution. You should take pictures of the planters your students came up with! I can't wait to see.

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    1. UnknownFebruary 16, 2018 at 11:30 AM

      Carley thank you for the great idea! I will take some pictures, they had a blast creating them. I was so surprised with how easy it was to incorporate a makerspace in my classroom and make it fit in with my curriculum. Have you challenged your students with a problem?

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  2. Amanda JohnsonFebruary 17, 2018 at 4:15 AM

    Dana,

    Do you have the class go through the engineering design process or do they get right to building? We are doing Bridges now, and the core text for the lessons explains how the boy goes through the process. I was wondering if I just let them get right to building or if I should make them brainstorm, question, sketch, etc...

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    1. UnknownFebruary 18, 2018 at 7:23 AM

      Hi Amanda,
      Yes I did have my students go through the engineering design process. I would recommend going through the steps with your students. I really like how the process allows them to experience and understand that their first attempt make not have the results they were hoping for so they quickly understand that they have to try multiple times to get the results they are hoping for. Good luck! : )

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  3. UnknownFebruary 17, 2018 at 6:57 AM

    Dana, I really enjoyed your post on Maker Space. I had heard about Maker Space before but was not really that familiar with how it worked or the concept behind it. But I see now that this tool serves as a work space where students can come together and truly explore their own interests, talents, skills, and use their creativity to learn more about a subject that interests them. I think creativity and interest can get lost in the world of education at times yet are some of the most valuable components to the learning process. Interest and engagement go hand in hand with one another, students that are interested in a particular topic or lesson are far more likely to have a desire to work with the materials if they genuinely wish to do so. By providing students with Maker Spaces and allowing them to just follow their own creativity to uncover learning experiences such as the examples given in your video (design, technology, building, etc.) students are able to uncover their own passions and find out what it is that they truly have a desire to explore and learn more about. I think Maker Spaces should become much more widespread in their use as they can provide tremendous aid to students in terms of shaping their path towards their future education or career goals as well. I think students struggle with their future goals and desired pathway because they don't know enough about potential career fields. This type of exploration allows them to develop some fundamental knowledge and skills to more aptly make this kind of decision. Great post!

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    1. UnknownFebruary 18, 2018 at 7:25 AM

      Harold thank you. I agree with you Makerspaces should be utilized more.

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  4. UnknownMarch 5, 2018 at 7:03 PM

    Dana your take on Makerspaces was great. I have heard some other people mention Makerspaces this block , but I personally have never used it or even heard of it before I began taking this class. I feel like everyday there is a new tool or type of technology out there and I will never get a chance to explore it all. Makerspaces really seems like a creative way for students to collaborate and express themselves in the safety and privacy of their classrooms. I like the fact that it allows students to delve deeper into the creative side of their brains. Education now is so focused on the standards and the common core and the politics that the fun has been almost sucked out of it. I love to see my students having fun, being creative, and learning at the same time. When my students are enjoying the lessons and they tell me that it did not even seem like work, then I know it was a successful lesson. Thank you for giving me another tool for my tool box. I am going to do some investigating on Makerspaces and try to incorporate it into my classroom!

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