About Our Playground

makerspace [may·kr · spays] (noun) - a place where people can come together to create or invent things, either using traditional crafts or technology

content area [kan · tent · er·i·ə] (noun) - a specific discipline area that one teaches

make and take [meɪk · ænd · teɪk] (noun) - a hands-on workshop where participants get to make something and take it home with them.

ISTE Standards Addressed

For Educators:

• Designer: Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.

For Students:

• Innovative Designer: Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.

Makerspaces are not just reserved for libraries or ed-tech classrooms. Teachers of all subject areas can benefit from makerspace projects in their classrooms. This playground will encourage educators to engage in hands-on activities in their classrooms.

The purpose of this playground is to provide educators with a place to try out different makerspace activities that could be incorporated in their content area instruction.

Participants will be able to:

• engage in makerspace activities related to their content area of choice.

• practice problem-solving and design thinking skills

• engage in dialogue with presenters related to the makerspace activities presented.

• make connections between the makerspace activities and their own instruction.

Participants will not only leave with one or more completed makerspace activities, but lesson plans and materials lists to be able to implement these same activities in their own classrooms.