Makerspaces

Cynthia CurtisHanes Magnet School

Winston-Salem, NC

What is a Makerspace

“A makerspace is a community destination where students—sometimes alongside staff, parents, and mentors– can create, problem

solve, and develop skills, talents, thinking, and mental rigor” ~ Preddy

“It’s a culture” ~ Curtis

Why a Makerspace in the Media Center?

• Standard 1: School Library Media Coordinators Demonstrate Leadership• Element a. School library media coordinators lead in the school library

media center and media program to support student success. School library media coordinators provide leadership for the school library media program. They share responsibility for the progress of all students to ensure that they graduate from high school, are globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and are prepared for life in the 21st Century. They collaboratively create, align, and implement a program informed by state and national guidelines and research-based best practices. They transform the library media center into a 21st Century learning environment (both virtual and physical) and a shared space for knowledge construction, collaboration and inquiry-based learning, and they assist teachers with similar transformations. They coordinate the activities and training of library media support personnel.

Why a Makerspace in the Media Center?

It encourages the use of 21st Century SkillsCollaboration

CommunicationInformation LiteracyMedia LiteracyCreativity

Technology LiteracyFlexibilityInitiativeSocial SkillsProductivityLeadershipCritical Thinking

How to begin….

• Start simple:– Teacher/Parent teach a skill• Craft :Crocheting/knitting/cross-stitch• Using tools: screwdrivers (Phillips head vs. flat head),

hammers, drills• Art – using watercolors, oil paints, ceramics

– Kits with instructions– Freestyle: what can you make out of this??– Take apart: Learning by un-doing

When???

• Before or after school• As an elective• Independently with a pass• During lunch

Where??

• Table• Chairs• Storage (Plastic box or shelves)

Bibliography

• Preddy, Leslie. School Library Makerspaces: Grades 6-12. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print.