January is all about new beginnings and new resolutions. As educators we all know the value of creative, active learning but it can be tricky to achieve all the time. Budget constraints, lack of resources, no extra time and no clue where to start are all real barriers to change.
A great place to begin this new year is by creating a Maker Station in your classroom.
S.T.E.M or S.T.E.A.M integration in a cross curricular way is a great easy introduction to getting students to think differently, out side the box even. By creating little projects or a space to “tinker” students can really develop their exploratory and critical thinking skills. When its comes to SSE and WSE from a SESE perspective having an emphasis on design thinking is becoming a priority. A small corner of the classroom dedicated to this can be a great way to reinforce these skills.
Here are our Foodoppi top tips for how to create new learning space in your classroom.
- Think about possible experiences the students can have first and foremost – not the furniture or the resources needed. Think about what the desired learning outcomes ? What other areas like this are there in the school ? Reading corner, library ? How do they work? What is most successful about them ? How will you measure the success of the maker space? Is it possible to do this during Croke Park Hours? Should we do some CPD to really utilise the space ?
- Go Solo – this is your classroom and your group of students. At this stage of the year no-one knows them better than you. Somethings that old adage “too many cooks…… ”can be true. You think, assess and evaluate what is best for your group. Feedback will always be welcome after you have researched and planned.
- Collaboration – this seems to be created as a collaborative space where they students are in charge of their own learning. This is not a desk which you teach from – your role here will purely be to facilitate the ideas and creativity of the students. This will empower them o take ownership of their own active learning and discovery.
- Lean and Clean – try not to have it overloaded with “stuff” like posters and handouts. It needs to be a working space but also a blank canvas where thoughts and ideas can develop. Bright colours can help evoke creativity ( green & orange) and some furniture to assist with organization of materials.
- Learn a new vocabulary – when planning your maker space think concepts like agile, flexible, integrated, adaptive, design thinking, multiple intelligences, empowerment, success, failure, positivity, acceptance, differentiation, collaboration, team work.
- Have access to some technology – an iPad / tablet, makey makes kits etc
- Involve the students – Never EVER underestimate their potential for brilliance !
Love this idea and would really like to trial it. Any suggestions as to what to put into a maker station?? Do you mean cardboard boxes, scissors type things or go as far as batteries, bulbs, etc??
Worksheets, experiment ideas or diagrams to get them started or just leave it totally open??
My kids are only in 2nd class but inspired by your summer course we’ve been getting up to lots of things! Any help greater appreciated!
Hi Orlene, Aisling here – Ok let’s start with a Wish List I guess. I know it is probably not possible to get everything at once but putting the word out there, donations, beg, borrowing etc etc and your collection will shape up nicely I think.
I will add to this as I think of more and I would love to hear everybody’s thoughts and ideas here too.
Items for Your Maker Space
Lego – Legos early can help lead students down a path of engineering. This material is also great for a prototyping structure that is scalable and can be taken apart when complete.
Cardboard Boxes – any size, any shape ( think leftover boxes in the supermarket, cereal boxes ). They are accessible , free, reusable, recyclable and if you need a little inspiration for what to do the kids will love this movie – http://cainesarcade.com
Cubelets – ( https://techbuzzireland.com/2015/04/18/let-your-kids-build-their-own-robots-with-cubelets-by-vicentea_george-kids-cubelets-ios-android/) These are your investment piece for sure but if robotics is an interest then they are great – These are modular robotic blocks that are connected with magnets. Every unique arrangement is a new robot with novel behaviors emerging from the construction.
Playdoh – Super for creativity, cheap and can be used multiple times play doh is great for demonstrating insulating properties and conducting electricity. It is also great for squishy circuits.
LittleBits – again a bit of a spurge but an investment. A really modern fun product that really seems to appeal to girls too. Ultimately they are color coded electronic building blocks that connect together with magnets and allow for the creation of inventions while engaging in powerful hands-on learning in STEM/STEAM. There are many different bits or modules that allow for experiments. https://littlebits.cc
GoldieBlox – these are one of my fav’s and again brilliant for girls. They really make that bridge between STEM ( Engineering in particular ) and girls. They is no stockist in Ireland at the moment but can be shipped but if you have relations or friends in States or OZ or the postal pal.
Makey Makey Kit – I got mine in Maplin in Blanchardstown for about €60, but I see that girl focused STEM company Project MC2 are selling similar for about €20 ( I saw them in States so not sure if stocked in Ireland yet but actually any of that MC2 range would be great). Makey Makey Kits turn everyday objects such as a banana or lemons into touch pads and combine them with the internet. It’s a simple Invention Kit for Beginners and Experts doing art, engineering, and everything in between. Any material that can conduct at least a tiny bit of electricity will work – I have been know the play the piano on bananas !!
Stationary – a selection of brightly coloured stations, graph paper and lots of post its to encourage and allow for the design thinking process.
Bottles & Corks – yes corks from water bottles and wine bottles.
Cling film, tin foil and kitchen paper – the possibilities are endless here.
Scissors – varying sizes will be required.
String, Twine, Wool, Thread
K’NEX – another well know brand in the world of engineering . They snap together, rod and connect building system that helps to teach engineering & STEM as you can build everything from a roller coaster to a Ferris wheel. Sets include wheels, gears, pulleys, rods and K’NEX connectors for 3-Dimensional tinkering.Check out this gorgeous one in Debenhams aimed at travelling the world -http://www.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_171070831399_-1
White Board – perfect for mapping out thoughts and ideas & pinboard ( notice board ).
Straws, Elastic bands, Lollipop sticks, Plastic Spoons, Glue ( I’m thinking catapults, rafts……..)
Clear Plastic storage boxes ( of varying sizes ) and labels.