Makerspace Update

Post date: Jun 15, 2018 1:35:20 PM

What have we been doing in the SMHS Makerspace?

* Upcycling damaged and discarded books into art

* Making bags, boxes, belts, notebooks, hair bows, bracelets, and more out of duct tape

* Using our Silhouette software to design and create signs, posters, stickers, iron-on decals, and anything else we can imagine

* Learning paper circuitry with Chibitronics

* Supporting our students as they design academic projects like health game boards, egg drop containers, and life-size posters of historical figures

* Designing beautiful graduation caps with our seniors

* Supporting creativity and innovation at SMHS

What do we learn in the Makerspace?

It may seem like we are just making a mess, but Makerspace actually teaches the skills most in demand by 21st century employers!

* Perseverance: We are trying new things and experimenting with our ideas. It doesn't

always go well. We learn to revise our ideas and keep trying rather than just give up.

* Independent learning: We often try things that no one knows how to do. Students and staff learn from books, online tutorials, and each other. We learn how to learn by ourselves.

* Peer support: Students need each others' help to accomplish many of their goals in Makerspace. Students who don't typically associate with

each other often work collaboratively here. They share what they know and help each other succeed.

* Flexibility and Creativity: We start with simple project plans, but we quickly begin adapting them and creating our own variations. We adapt for the supplies we have and other limitations. We get inspired by ideas we find and each other, then we go in our own directions.

We are proud to help foster a culture of creativity,

collaboration, perseverance, and independence at SMHS!