Create a survey that can go out to students and teachers. Include anyone else who might use the space as well(this might include after school programs or before school programs). Discover what their interests are as a guidepost to creating makerspace activities that are relevant to them. It will be helpful that you provide a list of options based on materials you have as well as giving them space to list their own ideas.
More importantly, we want all voices to be heard. You want to know what is working for them and what needs are unmet. This will give you a baseline of where to take your first steps in implementing change. Change works when we know what needs to be modified.
A couple ideas to consider
- Keep survey short so people will complete it. Maximum of 10 questions.
- Keep questions in formats that you can sort and analyze the data. Keep open ended questions to a minimum(use these for your focus groups later)
- You might have to modify questions to be readable for all kids and perhaps even change format for teachers/adults
- Electronic is best, but paper copies work well if that is the best way to get the data back to you
- What grade are you in?
- Why do you come to the library?
- class check out
- hangout
- computers
- books
- study
- makerspace
- What are your favorite colors? If we could paint the library, what colors would you like to see?
- Do you like the library quiet or nosiy?
- What is one thing you would like to change about the library?
- What is one thing you don't want to change about the library?
- Where is your favorite place in the library?
- What type of activities would you be interested in if a makerspace was available?(choose all that you are interested). List ideas that you could start off using.
- Robotics
- 3D Printing
- Engineering Inventions and Challenges
- Wearable Tech
- LEGO
- Coding
- Computers
- Makey Makey
- Sphero
- Perler Beads
- Photopgraphy
- Game Creation
- Making music
- Is creativity important to you?
- Do you want to connect with STEM learning and 21st century skills?