Maker
education

“Making empowers students to move from imagination to invention
— from idea to impact.”

🔷 Tink!SV Makerspace Programme

Overview

Tink!SV is a school-wide Maker Education ecosystem that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and innovation through a progressive pathway of making experiences. I design and lead programmes that integrate design thinking, technology, and hands-on learning, enabling students to develop confidence as makers and problem-solvers.

Students begin with Maker Recess for exploration and tinkering, develop skills through Makers’ Friday workshops, grow as leaders through the Maker Buddy programme, and apply their learning to solve real-world problems in the InnoSparks Challenge. Through these programmes, students build creativity, resilience, leadership, and problem-solving skills while developing a maker mindset.

Impact

Developed student agency and ownership of learning
Fostered collaboration and peer-to-peer learning
Built resilience through iterative problem-solving

I firmly believe that the 'Maker Movement' is revolutionizing the field of education by involving young children in discovery-based learning, encouraging them to learn not just through observation but through active engagement in hands-on activities. This approach promotes not only consumption but also creation. The Maker Programme continually excites and challenges me, offering a valuable opportunity for my own professional development as an educator and, most importantly, for positively impacting the students' learning experiences.

Maker Recess Activities

Short, engaging challenges conducted during recess allow students to design and build within limited time frames. These micro-projects encourage spontaneous creativity and experimentation.

Learning Highlights:

Rapid prototyping using accessible materials (cardboard, straws, connectors).
Cultivate flexibility, adaptability, and inventive thinking.
Peer-led sharing sessions at the end of each recess cycle.

💡 Executive Functioning Focus: Students practice planning, prioritization, and self-regulation within time constraints.

Makers' Friday Activities

Interest-based after-school sessions where students sign up to work in teams on extended tinkering challenges (1–3 sessions).
These sessions allow deeper engagement in design thinking and collaborative making.

Learning Highlights:

Apply design principles to create functional or aesthetic products.
Build resilience through iterative testing and redesign.
Strengthen teamwork and communication.

🌱 Growth Mindset: Students learn to embrace failure as part of innovation.

Maker Buddy Programme

In 2019, I initiated the Maker Buddy Programme, a leadership platform that trains students to mentor peers, support makerspace operations, and lead community projects.

Roles of a Maker Buddy:

Model safe and responsible making practices.
Demonstrate creativity, teamwork, and initiative.
Assist teachers in running recess and Friday sessions.

Maker Buddies attend regular meet-ups and training workshops to build technical and leadership competencies.
Their sense of ownership fosters community spirit and pride in maintaining the makerspace.

A maker buddy helping the student with the sewing project during recess.

Maker Buddies encourage peers to try, create and improve.
Students develop leadership and confidence by serving and supporting others.

InnoSparks Challenge Programme

The InnoSparks Challenge is a structured innovation programme designed to guide upper primary students through the process of identifying real-world problems and developing meaningful solutions using FIDS design thinking framework and maker tools.

Learning Process

Feel (Empathise) : Understand user needs through research and observation
Imagine (Ideate) : Generate creative solutions using brainstorming techniques
Do (Prototype) : Build and test models using maker tools and coding
Share (Present) : Communicate ideas through pitches and presentations

Learning Highlight:

Work in teams to solve authentic problems
Develop prototypes using digital and physical tools
Prepare for innovation competitions and hackathons

Testing their prototype with peers to receive feedback for improvement for the SingTel x LionsForge Inclusive Hackathon. The challenge was to design and prototype inclusive carnival games for children with visual impairments. Through the design thinking process and hands-on prototyping, students demonstrated creativity, empathy, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while developing meaningful solutions to promote inclusive play experiences.

One team received an Honorary Mention Award for their innovative project.

Reimagining Tink!SV Makerspace:

Student Co-Design Initiative

As part of reimagining the Tink!SV Makerspace, I engaged Maker Buddies in a co-design process using the Feel–Imagine–Do–Share Design Thinking framework to strengthen student voice and agency. Students reflected on their experiences and proposed ideas such as a dedicated area to showcase prototypes and a brighter, more vibrant colour scheme to enhance the learning environment. They also brainstormed new activity ideas for their peers, contributing to the ongoing development of Makers’ Recess and Makers’ Friday programmes. Selected ideas were incorporated into the final space design, fostering a strong sense of ownership and leadership among students. This initiative aligns with MOE 21st Century Competencies by nurturing collaboration, critical and inventive thinking, communication, and a sense of civic responsibility, as students actively contributed to shaping a shared learning space.

Impact

Developed stronger student agency and ownership over the makerspace environment
Demonstrated collaboration and communication skills through group ideation and discussions
Applied critical and inventive thinking to propose practical improvements
Increased confidence and leadership among Maker Buddies in guiding peers
Fostered a greater sense of pride and responsibility in maintaining and using the space
Contributed to more engaging, student-driven activities during Makers’ programmes