One of the best ways for frustrated parents, students and teachers to convince school leaders that it's time for a reboot is with amazing student work. An unconventional learning community of "makers" - people who like to figure out and fix problems with their hands - stands ready to demonstrate a hands-on learning style in which students engage problems that matter to them, taking agency and displaying creativity along the way.
A school library might not be the most obvious place to find kids building robots. But this year, Miriam Klein, a librarian and English teacher in the Cornell School District outside of Pittsburgh, is planning to use her district's brand new Hummingbird robotics kits in the classroom to build characters from stories her students read.
A few weeks ago, I announced that we were organizing a Maker Collection of materials that we will circulate at The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County. It is one of three things we are doing to better incorporate the Maker movement into our library.
Inspired by the short film, ‘Caine’s Arcade,’ the Global Cardboard Challenge is an annual event presented by the Imagination Foundation that celebrates child creativity and the role communities can play in fostering it. This September, kids of all ages are invited to build anything they can dream up using cardboard, recycled materials and imagination. Then on Saturday, October 10th, 2015, a day that commemorates the flash mob that made Caine's day in the short film, communities come together and play!
Dumpster diving and dollar stores. Purse-shaped post-it's and animal lubricant. When you're building a makerspace on a budget, you learn that resources are everywhere—and they aren't always what you expect.
Dumpster diving and dollar stores. Purse-shaped post-it's and animal lubricant.For three ye
Osmo’s groundbreaking system fosters social intelligence and creative thinking by opening up the iPad to the endless possibilities of physical play.
A new generation of toy robots, jewelry, and board games are teaching kids how to be coders.
My Instructional Partner and I spent a good deal of time in the Spring of 2015 pushing into classrooms and offering Design Challenges to students. This is my blog post about these events.
it's a new world of tiny little distributors, making tiny little movies for tiny little audiences.", The Animation Chefs are a group of young men who are passionate about helping students "tell their own stories, learn how to be producers, directors, animators, and distributors of their own creations."
Notes from a presentation by Ana Josephson at SXSW Edu.
littleBits is a platform of easy-to-use electronic building blocks for creating inventions large and small.1. Announcing littleBits First-ever Free Online Summer Camp!
The Maker Movement is a technological and creative revolution underway around the world. Fortunately for educators, the Maker Movement overlaps with the natural inclinations of children and the power of learning by doing. Embracing the lessons of the Maker Movement holds the keys to reanimating the best, but oft-forgotten learner-centered teaching practices. New tools and technology, such as 3D printing, robotics, microprocessors, wearable computing, e-textiles, “smart” materials, and new programming languages are being invented at an unprecedented pace. The Maker Movement creates affordable — even free — versions of these inventions, and shares tools and ideas online, creating a vibrant, collaborative community of global problem-solvers.
Inspired by the short film, ‘Caine’s Arcade,’ the Global Cardboard Challenge is an annual event presented by the Imagination Foundation that celebrates child creativity and the role communities can play in fostering it. This September, kids of all ages are invited to build anything they can dream up using cardboard, recycled materials and imagination. Then on Saturday, October 10th, 2015, a day that commemorates the flash mob that made Caine's day in the short film, communities come together and play!
Maker Ed is delighted to make these materials available for free. If you would like to order a printed copy of the Youth Makerspace Playbook, you may purchase one here.
Makerspaces
Looking for inspiration to build or redesign a school makerspace? Follow these tips to create a dynamic learning environment on a shoestring.
June 7, 2016 marked the first annual MakerJam event. This event was created by students at our school, for students not only at our school, but for children across the country and world as well. Footage of the day, along with student creations, can be seen at #MakerJam2016. During the event, I touched base with several of our students to ask them:
You don't need power tools and 3D printers to start a makerspace. Instead, get creative.
In the last few years, Makerspaces have become a popular venue for people to explore and create. A Makerspace is a space with various tools and materials, with the purpose for individuals to tinker, explore, and create. In schools, Makerspaces have increased in popularity, housing a variety of materials from low-tech arts and crafts to high-tech software and electronics for students to experiment with and build their own designs.
If you've visited my Makerspace Resources page, you'll already know that I suggest this The Invent to Learn Guide to Fun as one of the must have Maker books to get you started in your maker education journey. However, I've found myself with TWO copies of this fabulous book, so I wanted to share why I love…
Over 150+ makerED resources for your school makerspace in this free ebook. Resources Include 3D Printing, Coding, Makerspace Projects, STEM education
Former working partners who have faced the storm of adversity and flown to find new homes. Ann is now the Director of Instructional Technology with McAllen ISD and Cindy is the Head Librarian at an International School in Germany. We love connecting kids with books and incorporating 21st century tools into lessons. Follow our blog and we will teach you on the fly...
My Blog: Lewis and Clark Learns
Visit my blog to get a glimpse into our library.
This self assessment tool helps makers of all grades (and teachers, too!) evaluate and improve their performance in the Makerspace. The rubric has special emphasis on Creativity and Innovation, Problem Solving, Collaborative Work, Persistence, Documentation and Sharing. While students working in the Makerspace will not be evaluated for grading purposes, this rubric makes clear the MRU expectations for Makers and for the use of the space.
