What is a Maker?

In Creating Makers (Egbert, 2016), makers are defined as:

• Curious explorers who pursue projects of personal interest

• Playful so their projects tend to show a sense of whimsy

• Willing to take on risk and try something new

• Willing to take on responsibility and helping other

• Persistent so they do not give up easily

• Resourceful, finding materials and inspiration in unlikely places

• Willing to share their knowledge, their tools, and their support

• Optimistic, believing they can make a difference in the world

What is a Makerspace?

• A mindset

• An iterative design process

• A mixture of high tech and low tech

• Focused on how the maker’s product responds to the audience’s (society) needs

• An experience when students can gather as makers to explore, tinker, and create

• Makerspace is not always a place - it can be tools and supplies in your space or a space of the students’ choosing.

• Makerspace is not a curriculum, but it can be a way for students to practice soft skills and reach learning goals.

• Makerspace is messy learning, however, it can lead to long lasting retention of essential concepts and skills.

• Makerspace projects are engaging, and many times student directed, projects that result in unique products that students can showcase or revise and retry.