Makerspace

A makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school or learning commons for making, learning, exploring and sharing ideas that uses high tech to no tech tools. These spaces have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, soldering irons and even sewing machines. A makerspace however doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace. Cardboard, Lego and art supplies could be considered a makerspace. It’s more of the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing and exploring interests that’s at the core of a makerspace. These spaces are also helping to prepare those who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Source: Design Thinking for Educators

Open Ended

Makerspace Ideas -ideas range from how to get started to what maker project to do in your makerspace

Connected to Curriculum

ECSD Teacher Created Makerspace Lessons

Competition Based

Global Cardboard Challenge

Junior FIRST Lego League (K-3)

Wonder Workshop Robotics Competition (ages 6-8, 9-12)

Build It Challenge

• With Paper
  • What is the tallest tower you can build from 6 sheets of newspaper. Can your tower support the weight of a small beanie toy?
  • Can you make a bridge to span a distance of 30 centimetres that will support 8 Matchbox cars?
  • Can you build a table from newspaper that will support the weight of 5 books?
• With Lego
  • Can you build a structure that moves in some way?
  • Can you build a tower at least 1 metre tall that will support a tennis ball?
  • Can you design and build a useful tool that will help make life easier in some way?
• Create a City for Superheroes
• Build Your Own Boardgame

Break It Challenge

• Take apart an old automated toy or electronic device for the purpose of exploring, repairing, harvesting parts or reinventing

Open Ended

Makerspaces - Defining Makerspaces: What the Research Says

Challenges Connected to Curriculum

ECSD Teacher Created Makerspace Lessons

Challenge-Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace - An invaluable how-to text that details the workshop model, addresses the design challenges, and explains the best avenues for curriculum-based learning in the school library makerspace.

Competition Based

FIRST Lego League (grades 4-8)

FIRST Tech Challenge Program (grades 7-12)

FIRST Robotics Competition (grades 9-12)

Global Cardboard Challenge

Wonder Workshop Robotics Competition (ages 6-8, 9-12)

Build It

• Balloon Powered Vehicle
• Design the Ultimate Roller Coaster
• Design a Pinball Machine

Improve It Challenge

• Take an everyday object and find ways to make it work better. Here are a few suggestions to get started: money box, shoe, torch, pencil, plastic or enamel coffee cup

Break It Challenge

• Take apart an old electronic for the purpose of exploring, repairing, harvesting parts or reinventing

Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) courses have a connection to Makerspace ideology. Check out the Career and Technology Foundations site for additional resources.

Open Ended

Makerspaces - Defining Makerspaces: What the Research Says

Challenges Connected to Curriculum

Challenge-Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace - An invaluable how-to text that details the workshop model, addresses the design challenges, and explains the best avenues for curriculum-based learning in the school library makerspace.

Competition Based

Canadian Computing Challenge (secondary)

FIRST Tech Challenge Program (grades 7-12)

FIRST Robotics Competition (grades 9-12)

Skills Alberta Competition (grades 10-12)

VEX Robotics Competition (grades 10-12)

UofA Programming Contest (grades 10-12)

Build It

• TShirt Launcher
• Sticky Note Fan

Improve It Challenge

• Take an everyday object and find ways to make it work better. Here are a few suggestions to get started: money box, shoe, torch, pencil, plastic or enamel coffee cup

Break It Challenge

• Take apart an old electronic for the purpose of exploring, repairing, harvesting parts or reinventing

Makerspace ideology is a foundational principle of CTS classes.

Core classes can also leverage the creativity of a makerspace challenge:

• Discovery - I have a challenge - How do I approach it?
• Interpretation - I learned something - How do I interpret it?
• Ideation - I see an opportunity - What do I create?
• Experimentation - I have an idea - How do I build it?
• Evolution - I tried something - How do I evolve it?