MakerSpace & STEAM
On this page, we will try to highlight resources we have to encourage Making and STEAM in the curriculum. If you see resources of interest, come check them out in person at the library. Dr. Gardner is also available and willing to demonstrate any of the tools or work with you on ways to incorporate them into your curriculum.
Sphero Resources
Sphero Activities Hundreds of activities organized by subject area and grade level
Sphero Programs Videos and instructions on programming the Sphero to do all kinds of cool activities
Ozobot Evo
Gravity Maze: Falling Marble Logic Game
Little bits
Laser Maze: Beam-Bending Logic Game
MakerStudio
This week, we will be looking at three MakerStudio sets--Winches, Propellers, and Gears. "Maker Studio gives creative kids the tools to inspire innovation. Each of the three sets includes the necessary parts to transform ordinary, household objects into working, kinetic machines. Through building and problem solving, creative kids gain confidence and develop essential STEM skills. " (from the website)
Each set comes with parts to make four different builds and complete ten different challenges. The Winches set has students build a tow truck, a jeep, a well, and a crane. The Propellers set has students build a chopper, windmill, biplane, and plane. The Gears set has students build a racecar, motorcycle, cable car and 3-wheeler. There are step by step building instructions. Students can use recycled materials to build an endless number of their own creations. Students can also combine the parts from the three sets to build even more projects.
The website has pdfs available for download of the projects in the kits as well as links to other projects. For example, students can build a potato chip can chopper.
All three kits are available for checkout in the library. You are also welcome to reserve space in the library to have your classes come here to use the kits. These would work well as stations.