This foundational and comprehensive workshop is specifically designed for educators, school administrators, and educational leaders who are ready to bring experiential, hands-on learning to life through the establishment of a dedicated makerspace in their school or learning environment. Whether you are starting a makerspace from scratch or seeking to improve and enhance an existing space, Makerspace 101 provides a guided walkthrough of the essential components that make up a successful, inclusive, and standards-aligned makerspace program.
Throughout this course, we will explore:
- Understanding who makerspaces serve across different age groups, ability levels, and diverse learning styles
- Identifying what materials, tools, and growth mindsets create and sustain a thriving makerspace environment
- Determining where to locate your makerspace, whether on mobile carts, integrated into classrooms, or utilizing corner spaces
- Understanding why maker education matters from the perspectives of pedagogy, educational research, and measurable student impact
- Learning practical strategies for getting started, exploring funding sources, and implementing classroom-tested approaches
What You'll Learn:
- Design thinking principles and their application to education
- STEAM and STEAD curriculum design methodologies
- Maker education philosophy, practices, and implementation strategies
Important Notes:
- This course welcomes educators from all school settings, including public, independent, private, parochial, homeschool, and pod-based learning environments
- When registering, please list the participating teacher's name in the Purchaser Information field and provide an emergency or school administrator contact in the secondary contact field. Rest assured, we will not contact your school or send unwanted communications.
Class Requirements and Target Audience:
- This program is ideally suited for kindergarten through eighth-grade educators, STEAM teams, and all educators interested in fostering creativity, collaborative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in their learning communities.
