Makerspace Purchasing Ideas

What should I purchase for the library makerspace?

Resources:

Top Ten Makerspace Favorites of 2018

Tech & Learning Makerspace Purchasing Guide - Summer 2017

Purchasing M.A.K.E.R.space Items(Rubric)

What Makes a Valuable, Sustainable Makerspace Item? (Checklist)

Selecting the Right Products for Your Makerspace

A webinar by Laura Fleming @LFlemingEDU

In the webinar Laura discusses community, mission, streamlining the maker process, and supporting makerspaces.When thinking about a makerspace, the place to start is by thinking about a participatory culture. Does the library provide the opportunity for students to move from consumption to creation or from knowledge to action?

Every student should have the opportunity to invent, tinker, create, innovate, make, and do. The library provides the time, services, and resources to make this happen. One way that Laura likes to define a makerspace is: a unique learning environment that encourages, tinkering, play and open-ended exploration for all. By creating a mission for the library makerspace you are helping people to understand the experience and the rationale behind the products purchased.

So when librarians are trying to decide what to purchase it is important to remember that no two school makerspaces should be exactly alike because no two school communities are alike.

A way to help with the product purchasing process is to think about themes.Themes streamline the process and target the lens to take the maker opportunity to deeper learning.Themes according to Laura are:

• A launchpad to kick start making and creativity
• Meant to inspire students and spark ideas
• Helpful for those who might have trouble working with zero guidelines

Themes support school community learning and may include some of the following: robotics, inventions, 3D design, computer coding, wearable technology, and electronics.

Once purpose and themes have been established think about the word MAKER as a guide to purchasing products:

• M - Mobility Does the product support free-range learning (the next generation of learning) and liberate learners from limitation of physical space, therefore increasing equity and access?
• A - Allow for Open-Ended Exploration - Does the item go beyond the kit - how does it differentiate - does it maximize inquiry or only have step by step direction?
• K - Knowledge of student needs, wants, and interests - Take the time to hear student voice to connect to your makers needs.
• E - Empowerment & Engagement Does the product empower ALL students by meeting them where they are? Does have a low barrier to entry for engagement?
• R - Relevance Does it support the school community and/or global trends and best practices?