Thing 23: Makerspaces

When I first looked at what Makerspaces were I was very confused as to what they were and how they fit into libraries.    I watched some of the webinar Hands On Learning  by Michelle Luhtala,  saw Caine's Arcade, looked at Slyvia's Super Awesome Maker Show, and a few of the other links provided.  I realized the whole makerspace movement is just hands on learning - renaming an old concept.   When my kids were younger we spent many days at the Strong National Museum of Play, and at almost all the exhibits there was a make-it take-it table, stocked with art and craft supplies that would allow children to use their imagination and make something that connected to the exhibit.  I remember "crafts" as part of lessons when I went to school and my own children brought home many when they were in school.  Providing 3D printers, robotic supplies, and other hi-tech equipment in public or school libraries is just an extension and updated version of the "make-it take-it table"  I think.

Students always learn more by doing - it connects all the concepts they read about and listen to - this is a proven fact.    Makerspaces are not new concepts, just maybe a new space or additional space to put them. 

We have a number of Lego League groups at our school that meet in the library before and after school.  One of the exercises for the Jr's are to take a box of random Legos and make something  - such as a model to help during a hurricane or tornado.  Each kid makes their own model then has to explain it and they all look wildly different - it is so great to listen to and watch these kids.  I'm going to pass along info about the local makerspace to the Lego coaches.  I saw the website reading another colleague's post on this topic on Netvibe - rochestermakerspace.org.  They have a free open time during the week for families.

It would be great if we could have funding to get these kinds of supplies for all the grades to use in the classroom.  There  were some great online resources to use, especially the category of coding.
Our building has an annual science fair and I see many examples there of kids applying makerspace concepts.  I know there is a local place that sells what businesses consider "waste" from manufacturing and teachers can go there and get supplies.

I am a librarian, not a classroom teacher.  I don't know all of what is contained in the modules, but I don't think I have seen or heard much about any hands-on learning. Students enjoy and need opportunities to combine their imagination with new concepts to solve problems.  This is what they will do in the "real" world someday.

At our building we have periodic Club Fridays for grades 3-6 that last hour of the day.  Examples of clubs are knitting, cooking, tech club.  I think makerspace club would fit perfectly with a different theme every meeting.