JRB MakerSpace
In the fall of 2015, Briggs Elementary School joined the “maker” movement, an effort to emphasize learning through doing and develop skills such as invention, creation, exploration, and problem solving. The Briggs MakerSpace uses existing space in the school’s library, technology lab and art room and offers students a variety of tools for making. All MakerSpace tools and materials are purchased with grant money or funds raised by teachers through efforts such as Scholastic Book Fairs, Square 1 Art, and Recycle4Education.
MakerSpace Tools
- non-motorized building toys like LEGO, Magz, Zoobs, Tinker Toys, and K’NEX;
- do-it-yourself electronics like littleBits, Makey Makey, Arduino and Rasberry Pi;
- audiovisual equipment like cameras, keyboards, and green screens;
- art materials like clay, paint, and duct tape;
- recyclables like egg cartons and newspaper;
- digital technologies like touch screens, scanners and 3D printers.
MakerSpace Philosophy
Our goal is to create a space where kids can focus on creating rather than consuming. According to our research, best practices for elementary school MakerSpaces include:
- Activities should be hands-on and, in the beginning, mentor-led and organized around/grounded in a design challenge.
- The space should foster 21st-century skills such as experimentation, invention, creation, exploration, problem solving, and STEAM learning.
- The space should offer a variety of tools for making, ranging from newer digital technologies (hardware and software) to more traditional craft and art materials. Students should be allowed to choose the tools they will use to create a solution to the design challenge.