We here at Northeast Metro 916 like to incorporate fun into our daily learning, and one great way is the creation of a Makerspace. What is a Makerspace, you ask? Well, it’s a collaborative workspace for making, learning, exploring, and sharing that uses low-tech to high-tech tools. These spaces are open to anyone and have a variety of maker equipment, including cardboard, 3D printers, laser cutters, soldering irons, Legos, art supplies, and even sewing machines. A Makerspace doesn’t need to include all of these items.

The Makerspace team believes that every student should have the opportunity to use and be creative with emerging technologies, which is why every kit will have six levels of differentiation:

• Step by Step Picture Slides (Brailed)
• Text and Pictures Instructions
• Single Page Written Instructions
• Video Model
• End Product Picture Only
• Design Challenge Card

It also has connections to Core Vocabulary and science standards.

Last Fall, 916 students had a lot of fun using the Makerspace to create wind-powered cars. They followed the step-by-step instructions or created them on their own. The goal was to create a car traveling the furthest out of all the cars in the class. Designs ranged from a tall straw sail on a cardboard base to a car with 8-bottle cap wheels. The results were quite surprising to see. (Pictures below)

“Makerspace was designed to be a hands-on, fun learning experience for our students. The students that have participated in the activities tell us about the fun they are having and love that, at times, they get to create things independently. It’s exciting to see kids engaged and smiling!” said Emily Thomas, co-creator of the Makerspace team at Northeast Metro 916.

If you have any questions about the Makerspace, reach out to the team - Emily Thomas ([email protected]) or Theresa Wallace ([email protected]). And most importantly, have fun and good luck!