Greetings makers and authentic learners!
I have created and collected the sources herein to help those interested in using "maker" approaches in schools and communities.
This Google site is a companion resource to my official web page at
Please go to this page if you are looking for an experienced educational leader to help your schools improve learning.
Related articles are posted on my blogpage about twice a month
What is the Maker Movement? And what does it have to do with schools?
This global phenomenon encompasses and at times brings together crafters, tinkerers, artists, engineers, and bakers. It's both a return to practical hands on tools and skills like woodworking and an embrace of modern technology like 3D printing and microcomputing. Making is about imagination, creativity, expression, collaboration, and, from every maker experience I've ever engaged in, having fun, a word we don't use often enough in classrooms. It allows our students to freely explore worlds of interest, learn new skills, and create something unique they can call their own.
What is Authentic Learning?
Authentic activities are, by design...
Experiential. Students don’t just watch or listen, they do.
Child centered and individualized. Students take charge of their learning, identify meaningful problems, come up with and test solutions, and select appropriate tools & materials.
Relevant. Students connect to important unresolved issues in their community and around the planet.
Cross disciplinary. All subject areas are organically integrated because that’s how the world works.
When learning is authentic, students work like medical students, archeologist, or detectives. Related approaches include active, inquiry, discovery, and problem based learning.
Dr. Marc Natanagara has over 33 years experience as a public school teacher and administrator. He has written and applied over $3 million in successful grants since 2015, largely to provide STEAM opportunities to schools, and co-created and ran the Jersey Shore Makerfest, the largest non-profit hands-on maker event on the east coast, for five years.
For more info on Marc and his offerings, click here.
