Makerspaces: Elementary Style A guide by Meg Phillips

My Philosophy “What’s next?” instead of “I’m done”. If you expose children early to tinkering, exploring, building, collaborating, failing and then trying again, they build self-confidence and the ability to say: “What’s next?” instead of “I’m done”.

Agenda What is a Makerspace? Ideas Incorporating into curriculum

What is a Makerspace? Wide range of descriptions Small to Large Classroom, Library Separate rooms, Museums Structured vs. Non-structured Set parameters Guided vs. Non-guided Helping students Free play You Tube clip

What is a Makerspace? Give students opportunities to apply what they are learning Experiment safely Tinker with a variety of materials & resources

From Edutopia: Makerspaces provide hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering and tinkering. A makerspace is not solely a science lab, woodshop, computer lab or art room, but it may contain elements found in all of these familiar spaces.

What is a Makerspace? Allows students to ASK EXPLORE DESIGN EVALUATE EXPLAIN & MODIFY In an environment that encourages them to experiment safely and tinker with a variety of materials and resources.

Why have a Makerspace? Distinguish between fail-ure (permanent) and fail-ing (temporary). --“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison Become critical thinking problem-solvers who embrace big challenges Learn to ask, “What if?” Take creative risks Begin to own the creative process Grow more empathetic “Seven Things That Happen When Kids Embrace a Maker Mindset” George Couros

Why have a Makerspace? Embraces the 4 Cs Collaboration Creativity Critical thinking Communication

Agenda What is a Makerspace? Ideas Incorporating into curriculum

Where to start? Makerspace Carts/Areas Tip Dollar stores & Clearance sections are your friend! Anything is possible! STEM Bins Shoe boxes or Pencil boxes Dominoes Popsicle sticks with velcro Toothpicks & styrofoam balls Straws & tape Index cards & tape Legos Magnetic tiles Toilet paper rolls Pipe cleaners Ideas from TpT “Teach Outside the Box” Created by: Brooke Brown

Other ideas Makerspace Carts/Areas Aluminum foil Plastic wrap Ribbon Plastic spoons Shoe boxes Egg cartons Paper clips Legos/blocks The list is endless…... Collect materials Cardboard Cardboard tubes Kleenex boxes Wipes containers Produce containers Fabric scraps Old CDs Cotton balls Rubber bands Tip Ask parents to donate smaller items to classroom instead of Goodwill, etc. It’s surprising what students can create!

Bigger ideas Snap circuits Little bits KEVA Planks Makey Makey Magformers Sphero Cardboard rivets

Resources http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/ https://www.weareteachers.com https://www.teachengineering.org https://www.makerspaces.com/makerspace-ideas/

Agenda What is a Makerspace? Ideas Incorporating into curriculum

Other Activities: Home Sweet Home Animal Adaptations with a Twist! Baby Aliens Genetics with a Twist! An extension of PLTW Project Launch Genetics Module Making musical instruments Creating a new game PLTW Project Launch Final Problem

Using Legos!

The Process Ask? Explore Model Evaluate Explain What is my problem? What are the constraints (limitations or restrictions) and criteria (guidelines or rules)? Explore Investigate, Brainstorm, Sketch Model Build your idea Evaluate Test Strengths & Weaknesses Improve Explain What would you do differently?

Agenda What is a Makerspace? Ideas Incorporating into curriculum