Using Makerspaces to Start STEM/STEAM

According to Rouse et. al. (2020), "Makerspaces are collaborative workplaces equipped with a variety of high- and low-tech tools and materials that individuals can use to create physical and digital products."  Through Makerspaces, students can aim to find creative solutions to real-life problems.  In these creations, students are not expected to necessarily be successful in the sense that their creations will work every time.  However, through "failures," students can learn, going back to the drawing board and figuring out what might work instead.  It is more about the process than the outcome.  

One of the benefits of makerspaces in schools is that they help to foster 21st century thinking skills that are needed for success later in life.  These skills include critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity.  Makerspaces address all of these skills in a big way.  When specifically thinking about creativity and problem-solving skills (critical thinking), makerspaces allow students to take a problem and think of outside the box solutions to it.  There are not any given directions to figuring out what to do.  They are at the helm and must come up with creative solutions while collaborating with others to figure out how to make their creations work.  Using trial and error, students quickly find out what does and does not work and in turn continue to work towards an effective solution.  

When thinking about how to set up a makerspace or what it looks like, Gohl (2017) explains, "They use a variety of materials from paper and cardboard to Legos to high-tech robots.  It's a mixed bag of art supplies, erector sets, paper mache, 3-D printers, green screens, drones and more.  Each space has its own uniques set-up and feel based on the needs, interests, resources and goals of the community."  You might not have two makerspaces that look exactly alike.  They are very unique in their setup depending on the purpose they are there to serve and the resources you have.  They can be as simple or elaborate as you like.  Without a doubt, it is interesting to see the creations that our students can come up with while engaging with the materials.  When observing a makerspace in action, it is fascinating to see how differently two sets of students can attack the same problem.  They are a great opportunity to learn more about how your students think.  

When beginning to implement a makerspace into the classroom or lessons, it is important that there is no set way that they need to look.  Just like we are expecting our students to collaborate with their peers when working in the makerspace, it is a good idea to collaborate with your colleagues when trying to implement one.  "For maker-based education to become more than a trend, educators must create and share resources and strategies that help teachers implement high-quality instruction in their makerspaces," (Rouse et al., 2020). As with implementing anything new, it will be less overwhelming to start small and then work your way up to bigger and more elaborate.  You also have to know your students and make the makerspace relevant to them.  

Overall, makerspaces are an excellent way to start STEM/STEAM in our schools/classrooms and help our students have fun learning while also building up their 21st century thinking skills.  

References

Gohl, E. (2017, November 6). The Case for Makerspaces, According to Those Who Use Them. Getting Smart. https://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/11/the-case-for-school-makerspaces-according-to-those-who-use-them/#:~:text=Makerspaces%20are%20areas%20where%20students,the%20ones%20directing%20the%20action.

Rouse, R., Krummeck, K., & Uribe, O. (2020). Making the Most of a Makerspace: A three-pronged approach to integrating a makerspace into an elementary school. Science & Children, 57(6), 31–35.