MakerSpace
What happens in the MakerSpace?
We provide students a place to walk through the steps of planning, designing and creating projects with their hands that are rooted in real world problem solving.
We integrate STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.
The MakerSpace gives students the opportunity each week to work through the design process as they collaborate, innovate, tinker, create, build, prototype, and problem solve real world problems.
We currently offer MakerSpace class into our elementary curriculum for grades K-4 one day per week, and at least one unit per year connected with core classes.
Benefits of a MakerSpace
- Developing creativity skills
- Developing critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Promotes differentiation and multiple intelligences
- Builds enthusiasm for learning by engaging students actively in the learning process
- Applying knowledge to practical problems
- Collaborating with other students in meaningful ways
- Gaining confidence in their abilities
- Helps to prepare students for the future
Example Projects
Project #1: Big Bad Wolf Structures
A Kindergarten class built structures that could withstand huffing and puffing from the big bad wolf. They even tested out the strength of their structures with strong fans!
Students utilized multiple classes over a few weeks to walk through the steps of planning, designing and creating their unique solutions to this challenge.
Project #2: Creating Paper
Due to the shift in recycling, locally the school can no longer recycle paper. So 4th graders learned how to create recycled paper from old newspaper.
Teachers taught students how to take a real world problem and find a unique, simple solution.
