How Makerspaces Benefit Students
What is a Makerspace?
Makerspaces are rooms or open spaces where students are provided opportunities to use a wide variety of materials to explore and experiment. Teachers can teach STEAM lessons and projects that challenge students' thinking. Projects in a makerspace can be as simple as students using cardboard to build, but what's important is it encourages students to be creative, inventive, and think critically about their designs.
What are the benefits?
Growth Mindsets!
Makerspaces are great for cultivating growth mindsets where students understand that failure is just part of the process of learning and growing. One school in D.C discusses how implementing makerspaces has brought "Joyful Learning" to their classrooms. It has also helped their student's social and emotional well-being as students are given the space to explore in a free and open-ended way with things they are curious about.
Cultivating Growth Mindsets in Classroom Makerspaces
Resiliency!
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Students will be introduced to the design process which is all about learning what works and what doesn't and making the proper adjustments moving forward. Students will build resiliency as they realize failure is a stepping stone in the process of learning. What matters is how you move forward!
Collaboration!
Students can work together in groups to learn how to communicate with each other through the design process. As the teacher, you can also create opportunities for students to share their processes with each other and have students practice giving constructive feedback to one another.
For even more information about the benefits of a makerspace check out this page: The Benefits of a Makerspace in Schools
What about our youngest students?
Maker spaces are for everyone! Do you have a flex time for your kindergarteners? Add a makerspace or building and design station and let your students explore! Students can even bring in their own recycled materials from home, and with some scissors, glue, tape, and fabric scraps, they can get tinkering!
Do your students need some inspiration? Check out this site for 12 books for young students to get them eager to create!
12 Picture Books to Motivate Young Makers
What would a Makerspace look like at your school?
Makerspaces can be high-tech rooms, filled with cool gadgets, but they don't have to be. How might you set up a Makerspace at your school? Does your school already have something in place? Share below!
Makerspace projects to get you started:
From building bridges strong enough to hold 100 pennies to creating your own bubble wand, there's lots of Makerspace projects out there. Look here for inspiration: https://mytechclassroom.com/makerspace-activities-for-elementary/
Have an idea for a project or one you already love? Share below!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI loved this post and never heard of this before, so that was nice. One huge thing that stuck out to me was when you talked about how this helps with a growth mindset, which is huge in the classroom and what we want our students to strive towards. Also, I love the fact that it allows them to work together in groups/teams because eventually when they grow up they will have to be able to work with others at their job. All in all, great job!
I love the pictures of the students working together. I've never seen a Makerspace in action but it looks like such an engaging and fun way for students to learn and try different things in a safe environment. Working in groups and developing those skills is so valuable for students.
ReplyDeleteI loved this topic! I am currently working at the elementary school that I attended as a kid. In recent years, they have added a MakerSpace that teachers can sign up for once a month. Each month there is a different project/activity for them to make. I went with a class in August and they made buttons. I really wish this existed when I was a student! Like you said, they allow for collaboration and provide an environment where there's always room to learn and grow. The students also love it as it gives them an outlet for creativity. Looking at the ideas you included, I love the magnetic putty and the brush bot projects. I wonder if there's ways to incorporate this into the classroom if your school does not have a designated MakerSpace?
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting to read about! I wish we had something like this back when I was in school, it would have been so beneficial to create and learn to work together in a different kind of classroom setting. In another district I worked in, each school had a makerspace and it was so amazing to witness students working together in a fun and exciting way. I wish the district I work at now had this!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I've heard about Makerspace but this is a great introduction into what it is and its benefits. I think I've seen versions of Makerspace and from what I've seen (and from what you've written) it is a great way for kids to learn collaboration and problem-solving. It can also help them develop skills that they might not have the opportunity to do so.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated this read! So glad that this is happening! I'm a big fan of Carol Dweck and the Growth Mindset. This is such a great opportunity to put the growth mindset into action. Only wish it was happening universally in all schools. I think the being curious and exploring aspect of learning, especially early in the elementary years is woefully lacking, with kindergarten classrooms no longer having free space and toys to play and explore with. It's mostly been replaced with academics with no time for play and exploration. Children are not getting enough of that opportunity to use their imaginations, problem solve, make mistakes in a comfortable and safe space. It's amazing to also see this in action in the upper grades as well. This should become part of the curriculum in all schools.
ReplyDeleteI never knew what Makerspaces were until now. I would love to incorporate these into my math classroom. High school is tough but I know it starts with routines and procedures from day one to do these activities.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteThis was an awesome post! I have had the term makerspace before, but never really looked much into it. I really appreciated you educating us on this concept because I think it could really benefit our students in so many ways. Not only does it push students to collaborate with peers and work on social-emotional skills, but it allows them to be in control of their own learning which is key!
Also, as you mentioned growth mindset is so important, and this is a great way to help children to see that failure can actually be a great learning experience and help us to push ourselves.