Open exploration in makerspaces allows time for students to pursue projects and ideas that interest them. Here are some best practices to help.

Different solutions, same goal

First there were two and then three and after that a small crowd The bell went so they had to go but they planned to return The start of tinkering and making at MHS. It’s about time!

After receiving criticism that my space was not a "real makerspace", I decided to draft my own definition & take a look at how research defines makerspaces.

At AASL Knowledge Quest, I share about five makerspace books that had a huge influence on me when I was starting my school library makerspace back in 2014.

Finding the best way to get your students to learn procedures can be tricky. Check out these tips on how to create makerspace procedures that will work.

Figuring out how to keep your makerspace organized can be a daunting task. Here's what I've learned about creating makerspace organization that works.

28 engaging hands-on STEM activities that use recylced and craft materials for a home, library, or classroom makerspace

DIY Hub in H-Town

What is the difference between a makerspace and a meaningful makerspace? A makerspace is a place in a classroom, school, or library where students are encouraged to create, tinker, and explore. Nevertheless, a meaningful makerspace goes beyond giving students Legos and telling them to build. Rath

Whether you're just getting started or already have a thriving Maker program going, there will be makerspace resources here for you.

New to Makerspaces? Create Collaborate Innovate Posts on Making What is a Makerspace? What is a Maker Librarian? How can I run a library AND a makerspace? What kind of activities can we do? Check o…

These fun and flexible areas can help students develop creative and analytical thinking skills.

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28 engaging hands-on STEM activities that use recylced and craft materials for a home, library, or classroom makerspace

Interested in setting up a makerspace?! Congratulations on taking the first step by doing some research. If a makerspace is properly set up and introduced, it can be a great tool for igniting student imagination and curiosity as well as building classroom community. The following are fou

Interested in creating a Makerspace in your classroom? This product is a great resource for you! This Product Has: •Product Information Pages (2 pages) •Makerspace Sign (Letters to print on colored paper, cut out, and put up) (10 pages) •Design Process Poster- three different options(6 pages) •Makerspace Principles Poster (2 pages) •Makerspace Organization Poster (1 page) •Makerspace Project Goals Page (Can be laminated & used to outline the work you want students to accomplish at the makerspace that week) (2 pages) •STEM Materials, tools, organization & design brief pages, communication (for teacher use 5 pages) •STEM Project Participation Checklist (2 pages- One for each buddy) •STEM Journal Principles (to be glued inside) (1 page) •STEM Journal Covers- 4 options (4 pages) •A STEM project planning page •A STEM project evaluation, reflection, & redesign page *Any pages that include the word STEM also have that same page with an option for STEAM* Teach With Ashley Blog TPT Store Instagram Facebook Pinterest

***This post contain affiliate links for Walmart, Target, Creative QT, and hand2mind. By purchasing an item on these sites using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.*** Are you interested in starting a classroom or school Makerspace OR maybe want to learn more about how Makerspaces work? You’ve come to the...

Building a makerspace resource library is essential for supporting the independent learning of your makers. In this post, I offer up some suggestions.

Interested in setting up a makerspace?! Congratulations on taking the first step by doing some research. If a makerspace is properly set up and introduced, it can be a great tool for igniting student imagination and curiosity as well as building classroom community. The following are fou

***This post contain affiliate links for Walmart, Target, Creative QT, and hand2mind. By purchasing an item on these sites using these links, I will receive a small commission on your purchase.*** Are you interested in starting a classroom or school Makerspace OR maybe want to learn more about how Makerspaces work? You’ve come to the...

The Possible Project (TPP), a youth program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is teaching kids entrepreneurial skills to succeed in the tech-centric age.

I am always looking for new ways to challenge and provide unique learning opportunities for my students. I had some extra money left over from fundraisers I had held earlier in the year, so I asked my classes to brainstorm a list of items they felt would benefit our program. [Read more]

Over the last two weeks a founding team of makers and educators affiliated with HTINK, a New York based technology education cooperative, transformed an

Looking for some relaxing and calming crafts for adults? Check out these 35 stress relief crafts to make when you're feeling anxious and stressed.

3D Printing is an exciting STEM technology popping up in classrooms, but finding educational 3D printing models can take hours to find.

Today I stood in for my partner in crime and facilitated the Teen Advisory Board. It was so refreshing to be around such a great group of teens, the gave me energy and smiles in a pretty dismal view of life. We started by talking about upcoming programs and they were fueled by my passion for BBW and I am so glad to have such a neat group of teens inspired by something that inspires me so much. Another topic we talked about was Teen Read Week. My co-worker and I are going to do a display together and we want to recreate a teens bookbag. I had them bring their bookbags and share their contents with me. I thought they might think it was cheesy, but it seemed they really enjoyed letting me and the other teens at the meeting into such a frivilous and personal aspect of themselves. Here are some neat still-life photos they help me compose... We then painted some of the bookends for the shelves in the YA area. It gave them a chance to put a bit of themselves and their creativity into the YA area. They had a lot of fun and I think they will look great on our shelves.

MHS Innovation Lab Grand Opening! MHS Media Center

Below are some great tips on how to run a 3D printing club for kids. I'll share with you a breakdown of our October 3D printing club this year and how I set it up.

Do you ever have an "Ah-ha" moment? Let your child have one of those moments while learning with this red cup STEM challenge.

Monticello High School’s library is called the “Learning Commons,” but its name isn’t the only nontraditional aspect of the space. More unique than the inclusive title is that, under the guidance of librarians Joan Ackroyd and Ida Mae Craddock, rethinking the library’s role is changing education at the Albemarle school. “Teachers come down to the […]

Ok… I needed a way to spruce up Library Orientation…and fast. After reflecting on my practice the last few years I knew that the students needed to be instructed on how to use the catal…

Every year, my 2nd grade GT students build bridges as part of a unit on Structures. We have K’nex kits, and they enjoy learning about the different types of bridges as well as making their o…

Do you have a ton of newspapers and in need of some newspaper STEM challenges? […]

At normal listening distances, an array of twelve speakers arranged on the faces of a dodecahedron is a very good approximation of a point sound source,