Five Factors to Keep In Mind When Offering Makerspace Experiences In the Library

FIVE FACTORS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN OFFERING MAKERSPACE EXPERIENCES IN THE LIBRARY

by Katy Tessman, New School Services Project Manager, Mackin

As humans, we are moved to make things using our hands and our brains. The school library can provide an outlet for all students to fuel engagement, creativity, and curiosity at the same time. A makerspace in a school library is powerful. Here are five factors to keep in mind when offering makerspace experiences to your students. 

1.  All Are Welcome Here

Makerspaces allow students to demonstrate their understanding in a way that is meaningful to them. It is important not to use it as a reward or a negotiation tool; instead, a makerspace is for everyone. It is important to provide a makerspace where students can take a break from their regular class load and explore and develop new skills. Makerspace learning can also help students shift from being passive learners to active creators. From coding to designing to creating, students will have endless exploration opportunities in your makerspace.

2.  Assemble Your Team

A makerspace is not a solo project, just like teaching is never an endeavor to do alone. Surround yourself with people who have the same passion as you do, make connections with other educators in neighboring districts, or assign assistant teachers to help. Your team should share the same “maker mentality” - whether it’s inclusive, artistic, storytelling, hacking, etc. – and keeping this mentality around your makerspace will help your students get the most out of using the tools through project-based learning. When a person can create and demonstrate understanding through making, the maker mentality will be strong. 

3.  Provide Opportunities for Students to Lead

Makerspaces can provide students a place to use their voice; this strengthens the school community and builds relationships between staff and students. It is important to offer a safe place for students to express themselves and try out new ideas. Recruit student leaders to mentor students during a “maker day.” Respond to students’ interests and encourage them to learn the new equipment and manage the inventory. As students grow in their learning, staff will learn from the students. Empowering students to be leaders in your makerspace will develop long-lasting relationships and build confidence and a sense of belonging for students.

 4.  Ask for Help

Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reach out to your school’s parent/teacher organization and ask for donations of gently used items like Legos and K’nex, marble maze toys, Hex Bugs, wooden blocks and planks, board games, or puzzles. New supplies would include scrapbooking paper, ink pads and stamps, fabric like fleece and felt, hot glue guns, tubs of Play-Doh, LED bulbs, and all sizes of batteries. Parent volunteers are also a valuable asset to have in your makerspace, especially those who have special skills like photography, computer science, sewing, crafting, and artistry.

 5.  Be Comfortable in Organized Chaos

Makerspaces are constantly changing places, as they need to be responsive to the needs of the students and staff. In addition to planning with teachers, it is important to go with the flow and create the best experience for all of the users. Hosting a makerspace will provide an enriching educational atmosphere where students can make. Making is about failure as much as it is about making. As you lead a group of students in your makerspace, be sure to teach the students to embrace the failing as part of the making process. Testing leads to failure which will eventually lead to understanding.

There are several different ways makerspace experiences can be offered. Some suggestions include allowing teachers to use the makerspace in the media center during class instruction or offering a club that meets before or after school. By providing makerspace technology and equipment, students can explore outside their normal curriculum so they return to class refreshed and ready to learn. The options are limitless in a makerspace.

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