Open Exploration in a Makerspace: Best Practices

Open Exploration in a Makerspace: Best Practices // Open exploration time allows students to pursue projects and ideas that interest them. Here's some best practices.

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

Makerspace Logistics: What Happens When I’m Not There

Makerspace Logistics: What Happens to my Makerspace When I'm Out | One question I frequently get is how much access my students have to our makerspace when I'm out speaking or sick. Here, I explain how I make it work.

This post is part of an occasional Makerspace Logisitics series, where I answer reader questions about the logistics of running our makerspace.  Here, I address what happens to my makerspace when I’m out In an ideal world… I would have a secretary and a second librarian and I would always get substitutes when I’m out. … Read more

Makerspace Logistics: How to Find a Schedule that Works

Makerspace Logistics: How to Find a Schedule that Works | One of the most frequent questions I get about our makerspace is how we schedule it, ie. when do students use our space? Here, I take a look at how our space is available to students, and offer ideas for finding a schedule that works for your school

During my poster session at ISTE, I must have been asked dozens of times: “When do students use your Makerspace?  How do you organize scheduling?” I am in a magnet middle school on a flexible schedule.  I have a very supportive administration and staff and an enthusiastic student body that’s eager to learn.  I realize that … Read more