Making the Most of the Makerspace

 

With this excitement, we wanted to give teachers the resources and ability to teach innovation skills independently, in addition to Tinker Time and the Gates Program. Using a summer grant from Graland, we created 10 makerspace lesson plans for the Lower School that focus on the six innovation skills. Our Makerspace Kits are accessible, easy to use and need minimal prep work. An emphasis on sustainability means that the materials in the kits can be reused. Each one follows a “recipe” for success by stating clearly:

After introducing Makerspace Kits in September, classroom teachers quickly adopted the lessons and incorporated them into their teaching. “What I loved most about the kit was the fact that students began to recognize that failure was necessary to succeed,” shares Jackie Senkosky, Grade 2 support teacher. “I continued to challenge them as they continued to succeed, and that motivated them to work even harder. They absolutely loved it.”

 

Our kits also focus on differentiation, allowing a variety of thinkers and learners to be successful. First grade teacher Heidi Byzcko shares, “It was so simple to set up, but it was a powerful and fun exploration for our class. The best part by far was the amount of collaboration and perseverance it promoted among the students. Instead of giving up or fighting with one another, I watched as our little groups became critical thinkers, planners, problem solvers and communicators, all while giggling away and taking a lot of pride in the project. They didn’t mind struggling and even failing, and they were able to reflect on how their teamwork helped them be successful.”

 

We will continue adding kits to our collection with the ultimate goal of empowering teachers to incorporate more innovation lessons into their classrooms and their curriculum.