Paper circuits are SO much fun! They can be fun, crafty, and a great way to look at STEM concepts that still feels approachable for students. Paper circuits allow for a quick win for students – you can help them get a working circuit made within a 30-50 minute class period. Students can build on … Read more
Warning: Kinda personal post ahead. Because life isn’t all LEGOs and Cardboard all the time. 2019 was an up and down year for me. There were plenty of wonderful things going on – a large financial donation to our makerspace at work that allowed me to start up new programs, two keynote speaking opportunities at … Read more
In Open Exploration in a Makerspace: What it is and Why We Need it, I explored why having open exploration time in your makerspace in an important part of the learning ecosystem. In this post, I dig more into the practical stuff – how to actually make this work in your space. Open Exploration in … Read more
Open Exploration in a Makerspace: What it is and Why We Need It In a thriving makerspace, there is a balance. Design challenges allow students to work together on a similar theme coming from a design prompt. The challenge creates constraints, but not necessarily structure. Workshops are focused more on learning a specific skill. Usually … Read more
It’s back-to-school season! Some schools have been back for several weeks while others are gearing up to go back. But no matter when you start back up, your mind is likely buzzing with the possibilities of a fresh school year. The beginning of the year is a great time to try something new, whether it’s … Read more
It’s that time of year again – the first days of the school year will soon be upon us (and for some of you, it may already be here). Getting ready for the year means pre-planning meetings, making photocopies, arranging class schedules and all the other good stuff that comes in August and September every … Read more
At Stewart, we had a pretty loud library. There were robots racing through the stacks, the rustle of tubs of LEGOs being dug into, and the chatter of excited students talking about their favorite books and collaborating on projects. At my current school, the previous culture of the library had been one where a whisper … Read more
I am by no means a 3D printing expert. But I do have three 3D printers in my library makerspace (and one in my previous space). And I have a lot of students who are very interested in learning more about 3D printing. Some students have built their own 3D printers from kits and love … Read more
The IDEAlab & Makerspace is my school’s space for creative exploration in our library. But not too long ago, the room was the librarian’s office and a storage space (it’s still my office too). Before I was hired in the summer of 2017, plans were in place to transform the room into a virtual reality … Read more
Why We Need Books in Makerspaces Books play an essential role in all makerspaces, whether they are in the library or not. Instructional books can support students in learning complex skills and tools. Project books can give ideas and inspiration for what to make next. Art books can provide visual inspiration. Professional development books can … Read more