Getting Started
Step 1: Decide on an appropriate location.
The library has been recommended as an ideal location for a Makerspace due to its generally central position within the school. It is often seen as a place of community and can offer exciting possibilities in terms of collaboration and cross curriculum development. There is a shift in how libraries are viewed, instead of being seen as a place of research, libraries are now viewed as a place where invention happens (4). Makerspaces however don't have to be confined to school libraries. Classrooms can also be Makerspaces - the key is to provide a space where students can engage in complex and personally meaningful projects. You will however have to take into account what resources you currently have, and what space you have available. Some schools may have the luxury of being able to dedicate a whole room, while for other schools, putting together a mobile kit that can be taken from room to room will be the best approach.
Step 2: Decide what type of maker space you would like to create.
Makerspaces tend to reflect a hands on learning approach to creating with tools and technology. The idea is “about creating creative people” through the process of experimenting in a structured learning environment (2). Therefore, it is safe to say that a Makerspace could be based on just about anything,as long as it encourages exploration and creativity. The needs of your learners will be different from school to school. Perhaps you want your Makerspace to encourage students to try technology that they wouldn't normally get exposure to, or maybe you simply want to get students to open up their creativity through quick and easy DIY projects. Both these options are great Makerspaces and just a couple of the different approaches you can use.
The possibilities are endless. For inspiration, be sure to check out the examples of working Makerspaces in schools found in the Projects tab.
The library has been recommended as an ideal location for a Makerspace due to its generally central position within the school. It is often seen as a place of community and can offer exciting possibilities in terms of collaboration and cross curriculum development. There is a shift in how libraries are viewed, instead of being seen as a place of research, libraries are now viewed as a place where invention happens (4). Makerspaces however don't have to be confined to school libraries. Classrooms can also be Makerspaces - the key is to provide a space where students can engage in complex and personally meaningful projects. You will however have to take into account what resources you currently have, and what space you have available. Some schools may have the luxury of being able to dedicate a whole room, while for other schools, putting together a mobile kit that can be taken from room to room will be the best approach.
Step 2: Decide what type of maker space you would like to create.
Makerspaces tend to reflect a hands on learning approach to creating with tools and technology. The idea is “about creating creative people” through the process of experimenting in a structured learning environment (2). Therefore, it is safe to say that a Makerspace could be based on just about anything,as long as it encourages exploration and creativity. The needs of your learners will be different from school to school. Perhaps you want your Makerspace to encourage students to try technology that they wouldn't normally get exposure to, or maybe you simply want to get students to open up their creativity through quick and easy DIY projects. Both these options are great Makerspaces and just a couple of the different approaches you can use.
The possibilities are endless. For inspiration, be sure to check out the examples of working Makerspaces in schools found in the Projects tab.
An Important Thing to Remember
The most important thing to remember when setting up a Makerspace is that the space should reflect the needs and desires of the learners . While you should have goals for what you want to achieve with your Makerspace it should also be flexible and able to adapt to the needs and wants of your learners. The Makerspace should be easily accessible to all members of the learning community in which it is placed and should reflect the different ways in which people learn and offer different ways of exploration to ensure creative learning is achieved by all. (8). Makerspaces don't have to be about spending a lot of money building top of the range fully kitted out, specially designed labs, Every classroom has the possibility to be a Makerspace, where students have the materials, support and time to learn by doing.
Helpful Resources
There are a few recommended texts that will help with establishing, stocking and maintaining the Makerspace (10):
1. Makerspace Playbook: This resource focuses on the Makerspace in a school setting and discusses location, tools, roles, safety and more. There are a number of other resources available from the same website that will further enhance the existing Makerspace and offer new ideas.
2. Makerspace Workbench: A new eBook resource, currently in early release, that further investigates the themes touched upon in the Makerspace Playbook. It is written by a teacher and updated as he discovers new things about creating and maintaining a Makerspace.
3. High School Makerspace Tools and Materials: A resource that explores technology based, Makerspace modules, such as general making, woodworking, metalworking, electronics, textiles, computers and many more.
1. Makerspace Playbook: This resource focuses on the Makerspace in a school setting and discusses location, tools, roles, safety and more. There are a number of other resources available from the same website that will further enhance the existing Makerspace and offer new ideas.
2. Makerspace Workbench: A new eBook resource, currently in early release, that further investigates the themes touched upon in the Makerspace Playbook. It is written by a teacher and updated as he discovers new things about creating and maintaining a Makerspace.
3. High School Makerspace Tools and Materials: A resource that explores technology based, Makerspace modules, such as general making, woodworking, metalworking, electronics, textiles, computers and many more.
A useful website for getting ideas and resources from is Invent to Learn: Resources: Makerspaces and Hackerspaces. This website offers up a number of other books and links to existing examples of Makerspaces.
Image:
Untitled, Steve Rainwater, https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6761701329_690032fce0_b_d.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0
Image:
Untitled, Steve Rainwater, https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6761701329_690032fce0_b_d.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0