Science + Makerspace: Safety Device Challenge

Science + Makerspace: Safety Device Challenge

  In the spring of 2021, the 6th grade science teacher and I began forming a plan.  She had seen the engagement of 6th graders in our afterschool Maker Days program and wanted to find a way to bring that into her classroom so that ALL of our 6th graders could have this opportunity.  We … Read more

Bringing Hands-On Learning to Middle School Science with Makerspace Collaborations

Bringing Hands-On Learning to MS Science with Makerspaces

Bringing Hands-On Learning to Middle School Science with Makerspace Collaborations (Page contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase using them, I get a small commission that helps support running this blog.) This session will look at a variety of ways that you can collaborate with your science classes and incorporate makerspaces and maker activities into the … Read more

How to Start a Classroom Makerspace from Scratch

How to start a classroom makerspace from scratch : Want to build a mini classroom makerspace? Here's some advice and supply recommendations to get you started.

In the 2021-2022 school year, I collaborated with our 6th grade science teacher to incorporate makerspace activities into her curriculum.  We decided on a hybrid approach where for some projects, students would come up to the library makerspace and for others, I would come down to the classroom.  So we decided to purchase supplies (using … Read more

Empowering Students Through Makerspaces

Empowering Students through Makerspaces : How to Create a Space that Amplifies Student Voice

Empowering Students Through Makerspaces: How to Create a Space that Amplifies Student Voice Our makerspaces can be more than just a place in our libraries to build and create – they can be spaces that empower our students and amplify student voice. Learn how to utilize strategies such as open exploration time, flexible design challenges, … Read more

How to Run a Tech Take Apart Workshop in Your Makerspace

How to run a tech take apart workshop in your makerspace // Learn how to plan for, setup and run a tech take apart workshop in your makerspace

  How to Run a Tech Take Apart Workshop in Your Makerspace Tech Take Apart is a fun, low-budget activity that gets students excited about seeing how the inner workings of electronics function.  That being said, my first time attempting this activity with middle school students was a disaster (so much so that I only … Read more

Design Challenges in Makerspaces: How to Spark Student Creativity

Design Challenges In Makerspaces.001

*Page contains affiliate links.  Actions taken may result in commissions for Renovated Learning Design Challenges in Makerspaces: How to Spark Student Creativity Design challenges have the power to encourage creativity in your students – by providing limitations and guidelines, students can actually become more creative. Learn how you can use open exploration, workshops and design … Read more

COVID Library Update Part 3: Our Makerspace in the Time of COVID

COVID Library Update Part 3: Our Makerspace in the time of COVID - How we continued to host afterschool Maker Days while keeping students safe.

This is a multiple post series.  Part 1 gave an overview of what my school has been doing during COVID and how my library’s physical space has adapted.  In Part 2, I shared about programs I’ve done to encourage reading, plus collaborations with teachers.  For this last post, I’ll share how we’ve adapted our makerspace … Read more

Demco Post: How to Manage Your Makerspace During a Pandemic

Demco Post: How to Manage a Makerspace During a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has closed down many schools.  Some are fully in virtual learning mode.  Others have a hybrid approach of in-person and online learning (as my school does).  And others have gone 100% back to in-person, but are still following guidelines for safe social distancing and cleaning. It’s a pretty crazy time right now.  … Read more

Open Exploration in a Makerspace: Best Practices

Open Exploration in a Makerspace: Best Practices // Open exploration time allows students to pursue projects and ideas that interest them. Here's some best practices.

In Open Exploration in a Makerspace: What it is and Why We Need it, I explored why having open exploration time in your makerspace in an important part of the learning ecosystem.  In this post, I dig more into the practical stuff – how to actually make this work in your space. Open Exploration in … Read more

Open Exploration in a Makerspace: What it is and Why We Need It

Open Exploration in a Makerspace: What it is and Why We Need It // Students benefit when they have the opportunity for both structured and unstructured time in makerspace. Here's a look at what open exploration is and why it's important.

Open Exploration in a Makerspace: What it is and Why We Need It In a thriving makerspace, there is a balance.  Design challenges allow students to work together on a similar theme coming from a design prompt.  The challenge creates constraints, but not necessarily structure. Workshops are focused more on learning a specific skill.  Usually … Read more