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The Makerspace is a space that lives from the ideas of its users
The Makerspace is a space that lives from the ideas of its users
Description and outcomes of the course
Description and outcomes of the course
This course aims to give participants a deeper understanding of what makerspaces are and how they can be used in schools to support teaching. This course is also designed to help teachers come up with projects and ideas, makerspace ideas in particular, that could fit into their school’s curriculum and help them to understand which resources they would need to create a low-cost makerspace at school.
Learning outcomes:
Gain a deeper understanding of what makerspaces are and the goals/disciplines involved in them.
Dig into the technologies and resources surrounding makerspaces and how to source materials and resources.
Integrate makerspaces into the curriculum and lesson plans.
Immerse your classroom and school into the makerspace community and staying connected.
Explore design thinking, genius hour and PBL frameworks that enhance makerspaces.
Use makerspaces to enhance student projects and portfolios and assessing makerspace projects.
Why are we involved in a project like this?
Why are we involved in a project like this?
At Virolai School, we have been making a very important commitment to all the learning offered by the different disciplines of STEAM for years, integrating learning into all stages of education.
In recent years we have been modifying and incorporating improvements in our spaces so that students can acquire all those skills that will be necessary or important in the coming years.
The objectives of participating in a course like this are the following:
See different maker spaces in Berlin.
Learn about other experiences made by other schools.
Learn about new technologies that may be interesting to incorporate into our center.
[The following photos are some of our maker spaces]
What is a Makerspace?
What is a Makerspace?
Makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school, library or separate public / private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools.
In a makerspace, skills such as collaboration, growth of mindset, failure and creativity are put into practice.
A summary of the first steps in creating a makerspace could be:
Create a Maker culture and environment (emphasis on informal, networked, peer-led, shared learning, on innovation and openness).
Keep it personal, consider the students interests and needs (understanding the learners)
Take inspiration from already existing curricula and programs.
Consider new global technology trends or ask your students what they would like to have.
Makerspace in Berlin
Makerspace in Berlin
Happy Lab
Happy Lab
We visited the Happy Lab with our colleagues from Cyprus, Finland and Denmark. It is a place where you can implement projects and become a maker! In the workshop you can find 3D printers, laser cutters, wood & metal workshop and sewing machines. They showed us how to use different machines to implement our own projects.
Phillip Bibliotek
We also went to a Public Library that seemed very interesting to us, since in addition to offering books and movies, it also has a space dedicated to Makerspace. It is a small room with a 3d Printer, That means that everybody can book this space to create their own projects. The space enables library users in the neighborhood to realize themselves creatively and productively.
Vinn Lab
We were able to go back to the university to visit a FabLab called VinnLab. It was an open Lab for all university students and all teachers. It had multiple 3d printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, scanners… It was nice to see how they organize their own space. They have a lot of plants to inspire them, they use light leds and they also have a lot of interesting maker’s magazines. Furthermore, in the terrace they have an urban garden.
Gustav-Falke-Schule
We were lucky to visit a Primary School in Berlin called Gustav-Falke-Schule with our colleagues from Institut Pla Marcell. In the school they showed us their Makerspace and all the materials they use with the students (Makey-Makey, Laser cut, sewing machine…) Also, we were fortunate to be able to stamp the school's logo on our notebook using the laser cutter. The experts teach us how to use it and all the benefits it can have using it with students. In addition, we have also been able to learn how to design and order a maker space, taking into account the classroom, the age of the students and the possibilities of the space.
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