This certificate course is a hands-on introductory program for educators, specialists, and leadership of any division in a school or institution that seeks to develop or strengthen Maker Learning. The certificate focuses on participants collaboratively constructing a foundation of the Maker Learning pedagogy, frameworks, and methods for integration in any subject area.

The Maker Educator Certificate is an intensive, hands-on, minds-on workshop that equips participants with everything needed to bring Making into schools and institutions. Participants explore Maker Learning through hands-on activities, case studies, and classroom examples. In addition, the Certificate Program explores the educational theory, practices, and approaches to successfully integrate learning through Making in the classroom.

Note: No prior experience or expertise is required, but attendees are required to have some materials:

• Cardboard, tape, glue and scissors

• 3-5 volt DC Motor, wires and battery pack

• Markers, plastic bottle, toilet paper roll

Participants that successfully complete the program can begin training and coaching other teachers at the school or institution. In schools, this ensures that Maker Programs are sustainable and not dependent on the expertise of one person.

Participants will:

• Learn to use Maker materials, tools, and technologies through hands-on activities.

• Deeply explore the pedagogy and philosophical drivers behind high quality Making activities.

• Explore Making in the classroom and learn methods of integration with ANY subject or age.

• Understand how technologies such as Electronics, Programming and Robotics are shaping education.

MAKER MODULES

Over the course of these Online Modules, participants will be introduced to Maker Leaning and develop shareable projects.

Day 1: Maker Learning Pedagogy and Tinkering (2 hours)
Day 2: Lesson Design, Facilitation and Assessment and Design Thinking (2 hours)
Day 3: Computational Thinking and Sharing of Projects (2 hours)

Maker Learning Pedagogy (30 min Synchronous)
Explore Maker Learning frameworks and the philosophy and pedagogy of constructionism, project based learning, and Maker Learning. In this module we will explore and define the values that you want to create for your space and program, look at examples of Maker integration and examine the use of rubrics.

Tinkering (30 min Synchronous and 1 hour Asynchronous)
Tinkering is the art of playing with new technologies in an unobstructed environment with a focus on exploring new tools and materials. In this module we will make scribble bots from various materials and design simple circuits with vibrating motors. While tinkering, we will also explore the value of tinkering and look at examples of tinkering across many disciplines.

Lesson Design, Facilitation and Assessment (30 min Synchronous)
Using research-based frameworks, and assessment rubrics, we will explore methods to design, facilitate and assess Maker Learning projects. We will explore making activities and lesson progressions with a focus on designing meaningful plans and projects for students.

Design Thinking (30 min Synchronous and 1 hour Asynchronous)
Using the Stanford Design School’s Design Thinking Method, we will participate in an empathy based design sprint to design a product that is used to help people. Learn Design Thinking by making your own cardboard prototypes.

Computational Thinking and Computer Programming with Scratch (1 hour Synchronous)
Using Scratch we will explore concepts in computer science like, conditional statements, logic and algorithms while designing projects for students. Learn to design an interactive game in Scratch and how to integrate these tools across multiple subject areas.

Project Sharing and Certificate Assignments (1 hour Synchronous)
We will use this time to share our Tinkering projects, Design Thinking projects and Scratch projects. Receive valuable feedback on your projects and learn more about student feedback and assessment. We will also go over the post-session homework requirements that need to be completed in order to receive the certificate.

Maker Educator Certificate Assignments
In order to receive the certificate, participants must also complete 4 assignments

1. Submit a personal philosophy of making/learning, 2-3 paragraphs.
2. Design a Maker lesson plan using a provided lesson template.
3. Provide a reflection for an activity or lesson that you facilitated using a provided reflection document.
4. Chapter reading assignment from the book “Meaningful Making” with summary and reflection

Testimonial - “I really appreciated Mark's broad experience. He is obviously a maker and teacher who's been "in it" and understands the balance between practical advice and theory that working teachers crave. Great, great facilitation. Some of the best PD of my 20+ year career.”