What is a school-based maker space? Simply put, it's a space that has intentionally been set up to get students engaged in the process of making things.
The word 'maker space' is more of an umbrella term to describe a wide range of making, that can include:
Maker spaces provide a great platform for teaching science because learning is hands-on, inquiry-based, failure-friendly, and most importantly, fun!
No 3D printer? No problem. Maker spaces are not about having the latest and greatest fabrication tools. Setting up a school-based maker space can be as simple as having a craft centre at the end of a table in your classroom or in your library.
Want to connect with teacher that has created a school-based maker space, or has a 3D printer or laser cutter? Click on one of the school's below to connect with a colleague near you.
Want to be added to the map? Click the email button below and send me your school name and how you are using the maker movement to engage students in the Science and Technology curriculum.
Five years ago, 3D printing was just beginning to emerge as a tool that students could access to bring their thinking to life.
While the community of 3D printers is still relatively small, it's growing and your school can order a printer from the Technology Pricebook available from TDSB Web (sign-in required).
Want to connect with a teacher before you purchase for your school? Explore the map below to find a teacher near you who has already been through the process.
Ever wonder how an automatic door opens when you walk near it? Or how self-driving cars know when to stop? Enter the exciting world of circuits and electronics!
Whether your students are creating simple circuits using tin foil and batteries, or you're ready to connect sensors to the cloud.
Integrating electronics into your science program offers so many opportunities to understand our modern world from the inside out, and solve tomorrow's most pressing issues.
With so many micro-processing platforms now available, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine which blend of technologies will best meet your students' needs.
What is coding and why do my students need to know about it? Coding or computer programming are languages that computer scientists use to design software that runs so many of the devices that we use every day, including:
Computer programming develops students' algebraic and programmatic thinking, and accessing the tools needed to get started has never been so easier.
TDSB students from Kindergarten all the way to grade 12 are learning how to use computer programming to solve a wide variety of real-world problems.
Download and print these low-fi activities for your classroom:
Robotics have become increasingly ubiquitous in our modern world. They range in size, ability, and intelligence and can perform many tasks that at one time could only be performed by humans.
In their simplest form, a robot performs an autonomous or semi-autonomous action.
More advanced robots can take information from an environment and perform one or more complex actions based on the inputs received from that environment.
From manufacturing to transportation to medicine, advances in robotics and artificial intelligence are changing virtually every industry on the planet.
Typically, hardware that guides a robots physical or virtual actions are controlled by computer programs that were written by software engineers.
So when students at the TDSB engage in robotics they are often working across a range of overlapping STEM related disciplines that can include:
Laser cutters are incredible and speedy tools for creating accurate cuts and engravings for a wide range of materials, including:
Designs for laser cutters can be created using a variety of digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. While some laser cutters can scan and interpret hand drawn images right on the cutting surface, such as the Glowforge featured in the video.
Want to expose your students to this cutting edge technology? The TDSB's own Victor Wong, of George Vanier Secondary School, is offering a professional learning opportunity for TDSB teachers to visit his space and try out their laser cutter.