Final project- Maker space proposal

Makerspace Proposal

Erika Apathy

EDET 677

Sumer 2018

What is a makerspace?

A makerspace is an individual or collaborative work space inside a school that provide students with hands on learning, helps with critical thinking skills, and teaches students critical 21^stcentury skills, including science, technology, engineering, and math. 

         

Left picture- Superintendent Mary Wagner showing what is included in Sitka makerspace cart.

Right picture- Students in the Sitka School district tinkering in the marketspace at Keep Gooshi Heen Elementary School. 

What will the makerspace look like?

Where in the school will the space be?

The makerspace should be in an unused classroom in the school. It is important to have a dedicated space to ensure the supplies and resources for the makerspace remain in the room. The space should be big enough to hold one class at a time. 

Below is an example of a classroom in Baranof Elementary School. The location of the makerspace would be in a similar room. 

Basic set up? 

To be successful a makerspace needs four areas: tables, workbenches, storage, and resource storage. It is helpful to have the materials on wheels so they can easily be transported to different parts of the room depending on what project is being worked on. 

·      Tables: These tables will be the location of most student projects. 

·      Workbenches: This will be the area that tools and resources that can’t be moved are located including, saws, woodworking and metal working equipment. 

·      Storage: A place for students to store their projects. 

·      Resource storage: Boxes with project tools and materials with labels.

The pictures below are local examples of the makerspace in Sitka schools. The first picture how some of the materials are stored in the makerspace at the elementary school and the second is photo of students at the upper elementary school tinkering in the makerspace. 

      

Right now the space at Baranof that was the makerspace is being used for an afterschool program since there is not current dedicated makerspace classroom or teacher.  

   

The  pictures of examples of storage set up in a makerspace. This idea is good because it allows all the materials to be easily accessibly to all students. This allows them to be more independent when they are working on their projects. I would implement a similar organization storage system in my makerspace. 

What are the various tools and materials needed?

In the makerspace there will be a lot of tools and materials for the different projects. There will be some smaller tools like hand saws, and larger ones like a 3D printer. For materials there will be items like tape, scissors, paper, and legos.

The goal of this makerspace is not to have the most expensive items. It doesn’t need a full set of Ozobots, the latest ipads, and a very expensive laser cutter. While these items would be nice it does not necessary need them. A makerspace can be just as effective with items like paper, pencils and legos. 

Below are a list of inventory of everything that is included in the Sitka School district makerspace cart. 

  

In looking over this inventory list I can see a few things that I feel the space is missing.

1.    Baskets to keep supplies for projects together

2.    Cleaing supplies

3.    Paper

4.    Pencils/pens

5.    Ipad chargers

6.    Camera/video recorder

7.    Wood tools

8.    Metal tools

9.    Craft and art supplies

10. Cardboard

11. Batteries

12. Duct tape

13. Rope

These are just a few ideas of items I find may enhance the learning of the students who use the makerspace in Sitka. 

When will the space be used?

During school day?

The makerspace will be used mostly during the school day. In order to keep the room orderly and efficient a schedule will need to be made that shows teachers when they have the room reserved for their students. This will also prevent more students being in the room than is safe or comfortable. 

After school?

As this makerspace gets more use it would be presented to the teachers that the space could stay open an hour after school. This would give students more time aside for the allotted time with their class to work on their projects. The room would be staffed by an instructional staff at the school.

Who will use the makerspace?

            

The makerspace will be used by any student who passes their certification. This will need to be passed before any student can use start any projects within the makerspace. This is for their own safety as well as the safety of those around them. Students will need to demonstrate they understand how to safely and properly use a given material or tool. 

Teachers will also have access to the makerspace when available to work on class specific projects. Teachers will need to discuss the specific needs of their class with the makerspace staff to ensure all the necessary materials are available. 

Certification process: 

This needs to be completed before any student uses a tool to demonstrate safe and proper use. 

Want to use that tool?

You must be certified before you can use it for a project. 

Listen to lesson

You must be present to hear correct and safe use of a given tool. Students must attend lesson in person or they can not move on to the worksheet. 

Do worksheet

Students must complete work sheet. This must be completed before taking the safety test.

Safety Test (100%)

Each test must be completed including all required steps specific to each tool. This may include safety protective equipment, speed, precision, and safety. 

Demo Tool

All students must demonstrate their understanding of safety in regards to tool to teacher. If students do not pass demo they will be allowed to use said tool. 

Use it on your own

After students successfully demonstrate their mastery of the tool they will be allowed to use the item for any and projects. If at any time their safety or the safety is a cause for concern they may need to meet with the instructor to review the certification materials. 

What will the makerspace focus on?

This makerspace is completely focused on the learning of students. It is a space based on student centered learning. Teachers who are interested in providing their students with Makerspace projects outside of their allotted weekly time to work on projects focused on current curriculum activities they will need to follow these guidelines. 

1.     Less is more: students should be given less guidance than traditional to allow them to think critically about a given problem. The projects will be left up to the students. 

2.     The makerspace is a place that encourages brainstorming. Students should be allowed to test out different approaches to test which works best for their project. They need to be allowed to tinker. 

3.     All students need the opportunity to collaborate with other students and/or work together. 

An example of a student centered makerspace project might be to relate it to a topic currently being studied in their classroom. If the students were learning about the human body they could each be assigned a different system of the body and need to come up with a project that explains in simple terms what is happening. For example, for the respiratory system, the project could be something that takes air in and inflates two balloons. 

The results of these projects would all look different across different makerspace rooms due to the difference in available materials. 

How does a Makerspace support Sitka’s Technology Goals?

Goal #	District Goal	How A Makerspace supports this goal
A	A student should be able to operate technology-based tools. 2- tool for learning, communication, and productivity 4- manage and maintain technology tools 5- diagnose and solve common technology problems	Student tinker with projects that focus on hands on learning using a wide variety of technology tools and materials. Activities will focus on solving a problem in some way.
B	A student should be able to use technology to locate, select, and manage information 3- select relevant information by applying accepted research methods.	Students will use the makerspace to brainstorm ideas and apply them to their project.  Research will be required before students can begin a project. This will ensure they begin working with background knowledge.
C	A student should be able to use technology to explore ideas, solve problems, and derive meaning. 1 – use technology to observe, analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions. 2 –solve problems both individually and with others 3 – create new knowledge by evaluating, combining, or extending information using multiple technologies.	The makerspace will allow students to draw conclusions based on their projects. They will work on projects to solve problems working individually and in groups. Students will also learn new technologies in the makerspace.
D	A student should be able to use technology to express ideas and exchange information. 1 –convey ideas to a variety of audiences using publishing, multi-media, and communication tools 2 – use communication technology to exchange ideas and information 3 – use technology to explore new and innovative methods for interaction with others.	Projects created in the makerspace will be shared to a variety of outside individuals. It will also be a space explore new technologies used in communication including video recording.
E	A student should be able to use technology responsibly and understand its impact on individuals and society. 1 – evaluate the potentials and limitations of existing technologies 2 – discriminate between responsible and irresponsible uses of technology 5 – examine the role of technology in the workplace and explore careers that require the use of technology 6 – evaluate ways that technology impacts culture and the environment 7 – integrate the use of technology into their daily living 8 – recognize the implications of emerging technologies.	Students will practice safe and responsible use of technology. All the projects students work on will be geared to teach them useful skills used in the workforce.  Projects will focus on ways that technology impacts culture, the environment and how it can be effectively integrated into their daily lives.

How will we fund the makerspace?

Our makerspace will be funded in Three different ways:

1.    Donations – Donations will be continually accepted for the makerspace. Any and all donations will be accepted including tools, materials, and funding. 

2.    Donorschoose.com – Donorschoose.com is a platform that allows classroom teachers to request needed supplies and materials for their students. 

3.    Grants

A.   State Grants- Here is a list of 25 possible grants that we can apply for. These grants are available to any school in Alaska. 

·      First Energy

·      Honda

·      Westinghousenuclear

·      Toyota

·      Voya Unsung Heros

·      Toshiba

·      NSF Scholarship in STEM

·      3M Foundation

·      Braitmayer Foundation

·      Charles Lafiette Foundation

·      Coca-Cola Foundation

·      Gannet Foundation

·      Halliburton Foundation

·      Hewlett Foundation

·      Idaho National Laboratory

·      JPMorgan Chase & Co.

·      Jubitz Famiy Foundation

·      Lockheed Martin’s Philanthropic Giving

·      Lowe’s 

·      Micton

·      Motorola Foundation

·      RGK Foundation

·      W.K. Kellogg Foundation

B.   Federal Grants – Here are 13of the possible federal grants that will apply for.

·      21^stCentury Community Learning Centers

·      Charter Schools

·      Early Childhood Professional Development

·      Education Technology State Grant

·      GEAR Up

·      Gifted and Talented Students

·      Innovative Education State Grants

·      Magnet Schools

·      Mathematics and Science Partnerships

·      National Science Foundation

·      Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act

·      Safe and Drug-Free Schools

·      Title 1, Section 1003(g)

·      Rural Education Achievement Program Rural and Low Income

How will we sustain the makerspace?

In order to keep the makerspace available for many years we will need to do the following things.

1.    Apply for necessary grants to keep the space funded.

2.    Have an updated donorchoose page.

3.    Send donation letters to parents, businesses, and community members. These letters will contain a list of materials or supplies the makerspace may need and recipients can donate any item they wish. 

How will we gain parent and community support?

To gain parent and community support we will have a makerspace day every year. This will be a time when parent and community members have the opportunity to experience making and tinkering. There will be organized times that these visitors can get a tour of the space and can visit stations that will demonstrate one tool or technology that can be done in the makerspace. 

Students will also be in charge of creating the advertisements and flyers for the makerspace day. The hope of including students in this process is to create a sense of involvement and contribution in themselves as they need to brainstorm, plan, and create flyers that will get the attention of individuals in the school and community.