Maker Movement

Teresa SappingtonAlbert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow

What is the Maker Movement? The umbrella term for independent

inventors, designers and tinkerers. A grassroots effort by people who

design and create their own products.

A tech-focused social initiative built around design, innovation, education and entrepreneurship.

It is constantly evolving and growing.

Driven by new technologies like robotics, laser cutters/engravers, electronics, and 3D printers that have become more accessible to the consumer market.

Has a magazine, Make, makezine.com

Has events called Maker Faires

What is the Maker Movement?

Maker Faire Maker Faire is said to be the “greatest

show and tell on Earth.” Many show their inventions at Maker

Faires, which are widely attended by large corporations like Intel, VEX, and Altmel.

Maker Faire has had over 50 events globally, with flagship events across key cities.

The World Maker Faire in New York had 95,000 attendees this year.

Local mini maker faires are held in Meridian, New Orleans, and Mobile.

White House Maker Faire June 18th, 2014, the first White House Maker

Faire The White House Office of Science and

Technology has a Maker Initiative to: create more opportunities for young people to

use making to build confidence, foster creativity, and spark interest in STEAM and learning as a whole.

focus on three important areas: (1) more maker spaces and infrastructure where

students can come together to design and build, (2) more maker projects that bring together materials

and curricula for a broad range of students of various ages

(3) more maker mentors to share both their technical expertise and their passion with young makers.

Capitol Hill Maker Faire On June 11, 2015 It was a fun and interactive event for

members of the public, including members of Congress and their staff.

Hosted by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services in collaboration with the Congressional Maker Caucus, Maker Media, and Nation of Makers

Held during the National Week of Making and in conjunction with the National Maker Faire.

Making in Educationfosters curiosity, tinkering, and

iterative learning, which in turn leads to better thinking through better questioning.

promotes critical thinking and problem solving skills

creates interest in STEM among students who can fill the future manufacturing and technology jobs

teaches students to think differently about design

Making in Educationteaches students to work

collaboratively with multiple disciplines on a product or project

built upon the foundation of constructionism, which is the philosophy of hands-on learning through building things

primary objective of the teacher in this case is to facilitate the acquisition of concepts by building a specific project

Making in Education

Projects should:Invite curiosity. Students are

naturally drawn to things that pique their curiosity.

Inspire wonder. wonder is a fast-fading ethic in our culture, yet the awe that comes from the unexplained is very important 

Encourage playfulness.

Making in Education Celebrate unique solutions. We are all

familiar with the power of praise. Not all individuals are highly motivated by affirmation, but to the significant fraction who are, being recognized for a talent or creation is a powerful motivator.

Making in Education

The Maker Movement was No. 4 on the 2014 list of ed-tech developments by eSchool News.

The Maker Movement and maker spaces are popping up in classrooms, labs, and libraries across the country.

Makerspaces Over 300 makerspaces have been set

up across the country. Most makerspaces contain 3D

printers, laser engravers, CNC machines, electronic equipment, woodworking equipment, and hand tools.

Some makerspaces have art centers and textile design areas.

Makerspaces are being put into libraries, museums, and schools.

Education Makerspaces have the potential to revolutionize the

way we approach teaching and learning.

students are encouraged to explore ideas and concepts with tools such as 3D printers, design software, electronics, and tools.

This hands-on approach supports the “learn by doing” concept, and also helps generate student interest in STEM.

Education Makerspaces The Guiding Principles of an

Educational Makerspace It’s OK to fail.Breaking things is not a cardinal

sin.Collaborate, collaborate,

collaborate!

School Makerspaces Multipurpose Makerspace:

Classroom for physics and robotics classes

Specially designed elective classes An interdisciplinary tool and materials

resource center used by many different teachers and classes

Fellow teachers going there on their own in their prep periods to build teaching materials and demos

An afterschool Maker Club meetup space Community / neighborhood after-hours

access

Three Main Take-away Lessons

(1) maker education inspires deeper learning,

(2) educational makerspaces are based on student ownership of their learning

(3) it is not necessary to be a technical expert to start a makerspace in your school or library

Resources

http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Youth-Makerspace-Playbook_FINAL.pdf

http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Makerspace-Playbook-Feb-2013.pdf

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/creating-authentic-maker-education-rubric-lisa-yokana

The Philosophy of Educational Makerspaces, Authors: R. Steven Debby L. Kurti Laura