What is a Makerspace to You

Photos: August 26, 2016

I was part of a team that worked with teachers at a school to help them envision how they would like to incorporate "making" into their teaching as well as the philosophy behind it. Early in the day they were asked to create an artifact to show what a makerspace would look like to them. The variety of responses was wonderful. The one above talked about questioning and many diverse hands working together to build something.



This represented a peaceful place where growth could happen.



And here are some words that need to be part of making - that can be viewed from different perspectives.

These are just some of the representations - some were more concrete, some abstract, some were metaphors for the ideas. All were asked to complete the same task but in an open-ended way leading to this huge variety of ways of looking at the concept.

Roles Reversed

There is nothing like being contacted by a former student to be told that you made a difference. He is now a computer engineering graduate and I brought him to a makerspace day where I work. He shared his work with those who were interested - products for students to help them learn about programming, electronics, sensors, feedback... You can learn more at EveOne.org .

Our roles reversed with him being the teacher and me the learner, though in truth, we always were  and are both learners. Good conversations, good connections, good creations - as we both move forward.