"A makerspace is a destination where students-sometimes alongside staff, parents, and mentors-can create, problem solve, and develop skills, talents, thinking, and mental rigor."
Preddy, L.,. (2013). School library makerspaces : Grades 6-12.
Or in other words, providing the space and the materials for project-based, independent, hands-on experience for students.
Educational makerspaces are aligned with the curriculum and activities can be measured with a learning objective. The maker movement in education is based on constructionism which is the philosophy of hands-on learning through building things. The "learning through play," should be a guided activity that has a purpose. Great educational makerspaces embrace the power of collaboration--it is okay for students to consult and assist one another as they explore and solve problems using the resources of the makerspace. Makerspaces not only foster learning through inquiry but makerspaces also support mental rigor.
Makerspaces provide materials and resources to foster learning through inquiry. Those materials can range from simple items like craft paper, makers/crayons, glue, modeling clay, Legos, to more high-tech items like taking apart and restoring donated electronics, 3D printers, laser cutters, and screen printing.
Things to Consider When Building Your Own Makerspace
Low-Tech Items - Craft paper, markers, crayons, color pencils, paint, modeling clay, yarn, glue, feathers, buttons, glitter, and legos.
Medium-Tech Items - Makey-Makey, Littlebits, Electronics kit, button making machine, and binding machine.
High-Tech Items - Large format printers (24" and 36" wide), large laminating machine (24" wide), two 3D printers (Makerbot 5th Generation and Lulzbot TAZ 5), wood burning pen, HP Sprout desktop computer with a 3D scanner, and an iMac desktop computer. View the videos below to find out more about the HP Sprout and wood burning.
Printrbot: Sign up to purchase an Assembled Printrbot Metal Simple for only $399. Our hope is to introduce teachers and students to 3D printing and to the value of choosing Printrbot as your 3D printer company.