What is a Makerspace?
As we have launched the new Makerspaces in the Lower School and Intermediate/Middle School there has been so much excitement and enthusiasm around these new spaces. Yesterday, I had a great question asked of me, “What is a Makerspace anyway?”
The Maker movement is sweeping across the country. The idea behind the Maker movement is to create spaces for students to imagine, envision, collaborate, create, innovate, play, produce, experiment, share, and most of all dream of possibilities.
The Maker movement is sweeping across the country. The idea behind the Maker movement is to create spaces for students to imagine, envision, collaborate, create, innovate, play, produce, experiment, share, and most of all dream of possibilities.
The idea of making is not really a new concept. It is how I grew up with Lincoln logs, erector sets, and dreams of contributing to the space program. In fact, the Maker mentality is at the root and mixed into to the very fabric of our American experience. The innovation and creativity that has grown from our countries willingness to ask great questions is at the heart of the American Dream. In recent decades, the early growth of technology had the effect to move thinking away from creativity, design, and production (especially in our schools). However, in the Information Age I believe it is more important than ever for students to move past just “knowing” something but learning to “do” something with what they know. We must create learning spaces that inspire, encourage, and compel students to become designers, developers, collaborators, and 21st Century leaders who are prepared to lead with honor, creativity, and confidence for tomorrow. Our Makerspaces will give students a chance to begin their plans to change the world!
The pictures you see from the first day of school are from our new LS Makerspace. The images tell the story of the critical thinking, collaboration and creativity that can come from a short time in a space that has no limits and asks great questions.
