Motivations for your makerspace

• Why are you passionate about starting a makerspace? What are your motivations for bringing a makerspace to your school?
• The best place to start a makerspace design is to create shared understanding with all stakeholders of both the "what" and the "why".

Some "why" questions to answer:

• Why do we need a new space? What will happen here that won't happen in classrooms, labs, shops, art rooms and vice versa?
• Why do we think this is a good use of time and money?

Some "what" questions to answer:

• What will happen in the space?
• What habits and culture do we want to build upon? What do we want to change?
• What are our values and expectations for the space and student experience, both long and short term?
• What will success look like?

*The What and Why questions come from Sylivia Martinez in this article

• How comfortable are people in your school with open ended exploration?
• What concepts of making are you already promoting in your learning environment?
• What still needs to be developed?

A collection of tools does not define the space. What matters is what the space allows people to make. WHAT ARE YOU HOPING WILL HAPPEN WITH THIS SPACE?

Need to think about

• Materials
• Network among your educators
• Library of project ideas
• The space itself
• Training and support
• Tools
• Space – does it allow for social interaction and privacy for making?
  • Does it allow cross pollination of ideas to be exchanged?

Makerspace on a Budget

• Makerspace on a Shoestring Budget
• Invent to Learn Desert Island Maker Kit
• Makerspace Playbook - pages 10 & 11

Consider Spaces for these types of materials

• Maker technology such as robotics, microcontrollers, 3D printers and more
• Electronic parts and tools
• Computers, cameras, software
• Craft and art supplies
• Building materials and traditional tools
• Junk for recycling into new products
• A library - don't forget books!

Furniture

• As much on wheels as possible – keeps things flexible
• 4x6 foot table for endless configurations
• Cheap 2x4 stools
  • Could be good first project of kids building furniture
  • Don’t need a seat for each kid.
  • Think zones and what is needed for each type of zone

Hot Glue Gun Station

• Scrap plywood to save tables
• Keep danger zone in one area
• Reduce mess
• Focus zone

KEY CONCEPT - Make the space flexible for all types of learning. Here is an example of Coffeechug Cafe and a week in the space.

• Explore the Learning Space Section: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/makerspace-essentials/
• Color code/gift wrap shelf unit for visible labeling of where things go
• Great blog post with ideas
• 3 Budget-Friendly Makerspace Organization Hacks https://educationcloset.com/2017/10/01/3-budget-friendly-makerspace-organization-hacks/

Labeling of materials

• Label maker
• Clear Tubs
• Ask Ts what works best in their rooms for their procedures. Can you use what already exists in the routines of students and teachers to create flow among rooms?

Storage Materials

• Broom and dustpan – allow culture to develop where kids are cleaning. Part of owning the space
• Cameras to document learning!
• Shop Vac – nice to have with major messes and spills
• Pegboard for storage of items and tools

Tell the story

• Take lots of pictures of current status
• Document, interview, and create artifacts needed to tell the story needed to bring in outside funding and support
• What organizations can you utilize to bring in expertise into various methods of making?
• Student Voice
• Student Video Documentation Station

• An online directory of makerspaces Make: makerspace directory
• A community-curated hackerspace wiki
• List of free resources that are very helpful http://www.makerspaceforeducation.com/best-of-the-web.html
• Dale Dougherty explains in his We are makers TED talk, the movement is open for anyone to join
• Raspberry Pi Foundation Curriculumhttps://curriculum.raspberrypi.org/
• MAKEing a Difference - site used to help educators in my area
• 25 Days of Making Project
• Webiste for my Make Yourself Into a Maker PD

Cutting

• Tin Snips
• Zip Snips
• Canary Knives
• Xacto Knives
• Box cutters
• PVC pipe cutters

Drilling

• Cordless Drill
• Drill bits
• Extra Batteries
• Clamps
• Table or workbench to drill

Design

• Vinyl Cutter
• Vinyl
• Computer for software and file creation

Electronics

• Wire
• Batteries of all shapes and sizes
• Battery holders
• Alligator Clips
• Male to Male Wire
• Male to Female Wire
• Alligator to Male Wire
• Servos
• Micro Servos
• LED Lights
• DC Motors
• Extension cords

Basic Materials

• PVC
• Duct Tape
• Scrap Wood
• Cardboard
  • I use 6x6x6 inch boxes for projects
• Dollar Store Craft Supplies
  • Pom pom
  • Craft sticks
  • Googly eyes
  • Stickers

Target Dollar Bins

Adhesives

• Hot Glue Gun
• Glue Sticks
• Craft Glue
• Spray Glue

Teacher Tinker Time

• Teacher Tinker Time - Where is it? #coffeechugPLN https://wp.me/p4covo-14
• Tinker Time for Teacher: Session 1 Reflection https://wp.me/p4covo-Z
• 002: Living on Edge of Chaos - Tinker Time for Teachers https://wp.me/p4covo-Q
• Teacher Tinker Time Reflection: Teamwork and Collaboration https://wp.me/p4covo-Ka
• Teacher Tinker Time Presentation Reflection with Squishy Circuits https://wp.me/p4covo-MM