Maker Movement

One of the best things about school makerspaces is that so many different events can foster productive learning experiences. Since maker learning is so closely connected to 21st century development, MakerEd activities and exploration remain popular with both students and teachers. So, if you are looking to start a makerspace in your school, what are key things to know?

Perhaps for the best, there’s no blueprint for creating a school makerspace but there are some strategies teachers could employ that might help to set theirs apart. Whether your makerspaces are big, tiny, stationary, mobile, or full of high- or low-tech tools, here are some of the coolest characteristics that the best makerspaces share—both physical features and attitudes.

If you mostly focus on introducing elementary school students to MakerEd, it could potentially involve a much more simplistic start. Then, once they’re into middle school, children can start to create their own valuable MakerEd experiences. And, by the time they transition to high school and more fully grasp the essence of making, it’s up to them to impact their

The line of LulzBot 3D printers are some of the most affordable 3D printers for CTE and STEM learning largely because they don’t sacrifice any of that necessary power and precision students need. Check out this recording of our webinar with the LulzBot team as we partnered with their executives to dive into the uses and benefits of these machines

Now a phenomenon that’s reached global levels, the Maker Movement has brought so many creative people together. Now, as that spirit has found its way into countless schools, classrooms, and libraries, it is also helping out educators with finding fresh ways to excite students and empower them to learn and express themselves through perseverance and project design.

The Glowforge Pro is the more capable Glowforge printer and, as such, its price tag is higher. Of course, your students can do more with a Glowforge Pro, including using its Pro Passthrough technology, which allows them to create larger prints out of infinitely long materials. If they want to start with simpler Glowforge projects, however, the Glowforge Plus might

It’s a broad question and one that will elicit different answers from different people. There are lots of reasons as to why K–12 makerspace experiences provide everyone from kids to experienced manufacturers with excitement, value, and intrigue. And, although the reasoning behind why makerspaces are important are extensive, they usually tie back to a particular mission.

You probably know by now that we are huge advocates of makerspaces in K–12 schools. The added freedom for creating, hands-on experimentation, and exploration that they provide for students helps them learn in so many new ways. Now, many educators have even gone as far as to create their own makerspace curriculum after seeing all the benefits for students.

This month, we’ve selected Michael Jaber, a high school administrator from Sheboygan, WI as the recipient! Michael works at the Sheboygan South High School and he’s been brainstorming how to capitalize on the high levels of school spirit they have by brining as many students as possible together to work on a project for the whole school community.

If you’re teaching circuitry and want to get hands-on, Snap Circuits is the perfect entry into building circuits for students eight and older. Students can use these pieces to snap building blocks together to form functional circuits and there are none of the safety risks associated with more advanced wiring. Read on to learn more about the Snap Circuits system.