Maker Space Inspire our students to engineer the future

What is a Maker Space?  Maker Spaces represent the democratization of design, engineering, fabrication and education.  They are a fairly new phenomenon, but are beginning to produce projects with significant national impacts. Actually, this idea is not really new…

“Maker Spaces” have been around a very long time…

What’s does a Maker Space do?  Maker Spaces provide the tools and materials to facilitate hands-on creativity.  These spaces allow students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering and tinkering.

Why Develop a Maker Space?  The demand for employees in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields is expected to increase.  A Maker Space will stimulate interest and participation in STEM activities, hopefully increasing the number of students who will choose to enter a STEM field.  This benefits not only the student but our community, state and nation.

STEM Fields are Growing  STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17.0 percent from 2008 to 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations.  STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.  More than two-thirds of STEM workers have at least a college degree, compared to less than one-third of non-STEM workers.  STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non- STEM occupations.

Maker Spaces Teach Problem Solving  Maker Spaces place students in situations that require application of what they know and are learning.  Maker Spaces require students to apply typical “Scientific Method” or “Engineering Process Method” in order to design, create and improve what they make.  Students will gain real experience using these skills in “real world” situations and will be “rewarded” with real products they have created.

A Maker Space Supports Co-Requisite Science Standards  Students will explore the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand how the world works  Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.  Students will use computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and following scientific explanations.  Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating equipment and materials in scientific activities.

What do we need?  Stuff (initial materials and tools). They don’t have to be expensive for us to get started.  People (teacher sponsors, parent volunteers, local business leaders, STUDENTS)

What kind of “ Stuff ” goes in a Maker Space?  We can start out with very basic tools and materials.  As funds or donated resources are available, more “sophisticated” tools and materials can be added to the space.

To start out, we can use basic tools and “reusable” materials that may normally be discarded. Tools such as:  Glue Guns  Small hand tools (screwdrivers, hammers, drills, pliers)  Scissors/Cutting tools  Sewing Machines  Soldering Irons  Scissors Materials:  Battery Operated toys  Fabric/Thread  Yarn  Plastic bottles, bags, discarded containers  Empty cardboard tubes  Popsicle Sticks  Fasteners (nails, screws, brads, staples)  Scrap Wood  Other discarded toys for “parts”  Wire  Batteries

When we have the funds, we add to our Space…

Wish List of Tools/Materials to Purchase  3D Doodle Pen $100  3D Printer $600 - $2000  3D Printer Filament 5 $40 ea= $200 to start  Arduino Electronics Kits $100 ea = $2300  Soldering Gun $100  Electronics Components (Battery Packs, motors, switches, etc.) $200  Work Bench $200  Makey Makey Kit $150  Miscellaneous Materials $250 Total: $ $3500

What’s next?  If we want to develop a Maker Space, we need to formalize it and make sure information gets out to students and parents.  We need to solicit donations of tools and materials to create our initial space.  Next, we need to develop a funding plan to present to parents and business leaders detailing our project and ask for help.

How will the Maker Space Work?  Teachers will volunteer as “sponsors” for the “Maker Club”  Students and parents must sign the User Agreement in order to participate in the Maker Space.  The Maker Club will meet every other week either before or after school.  Teachers/Parents will help guide students.  Initial sessions will involve “guided creativity” – activities that involve specific tools, materials, techniques or other constraints.  As students gain skills, we will proceed with individual projects

Here’s what a “Maker” looks like:

And when they grow up, they may even look like this… Steve Jobs Thomas Edison Margaret E. Knight George Washington Carver

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