Maker Spaces??

I just sent out an invitation and a schedule for our first annual Maker Space week at the Joy James library.  I am just a little giddy and beyond excited about what this week is going to bring to our teachers and students.

The first question that was posed to me was this - "What exactly is a Maker Space?"  I was so excited to be able to explain the vision and reasoning behind Maker Spaces and Maker Space activities.  

So...what exactly is a Maker Space? 

 "It is an area that provides hands-on, creative ways for students to design, experiment, and invent as they engage in science, engineering, and tinkering.” (definition from edutopia)

When students are given the opportunity to experiment and learn on their own, the learning becomes so much more authentic and real to them.  They are truly engaged in the process and therefore take away so much more than they would in a traditional learning situation.  

I also love the idea of connecting literature with Maker Space activities.  I found this awesome list of books that can be used to springboard Maker activities on this Smore.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires (Love This!)

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

Mr. Farris and His Wheel by Kathryn Gibbs Davis

Awesome Dawson by Chris Gall

Monkey With A Toolbelt by Chris Monroe

Going Places by Peter Reynolds (Love This!)

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

What Do You Do With An Idea by Kodi Yamada

Another great idea for Maker Space activities is to use Legos in the library.  I allow my students who come in after school to tinker and play with Legos and have even challenged them to create their own videos with their Lego creations.  They come up with the most amazing ideas.  

We've even done some math with Legos in the library.