Starting a Makerspace
Starting a makerspace for the first time is not an endeavour to be rushed. Be sure to have teacher buy-in, a well thought out plan in place for physical space, materials, guidelines, and resources to address curricular integration.
Starting up at Buckhorn Creek ES
Why makerspaces at Wake County Public Schools
Sample Common Courtesy Guidelines
Makerspace: Just Trust The Kids: blog post
Media Center 4Cs Activity Center Task Cards
Resources
These are some of my favorite resources that I share with teachers looking for cost effective, hands-on activities.
MackinMaker Challenge Cards and More
Paper Circuit Projects and Templates
Makerspace Tools, Descriptions and Websites
Weekly At Home STEAM Challenges
TeachEngineering: STEM Curriculum for k12
Special Recommendation from Lyndhurst STEM Club for Girls
(Circuit Resources)
A collection of resources compiled by Speedway Motors (speedwaymotors.com)
Physics for Kids: Electronic Circuits:
Electronic devices have complicated electronic circuits inside them that make them able to function.
This activity lets you experiment with different components to create a mock circuit online.
Seven Exciting Electric Circuit Projects for Kids:
Expand your understanding of electric circuits by completing fun and simple circuit projects at home.
Watch the video and follow the steps to create your own circuit at home.
After learning the basics about electricity and electric circuits, you’ll be ready to act out an electric circuit as presented in this lesson.
Construct a circuit board so you can see electrical circuits in action.
Programable Robot Resources
Many companies that sell robots or programable tools also provide useful and free resources on their websites. Enjoy some that I curated!
Cubelets
Cubelets: Print and Fold Activity Cards
Cubelet Scope and Sequence Lesson Ideas
Hummingbirds
Lunch Bots: Hummingbird and Makey Makey Projects
Root Robot
Makey Makey
Lunch Bots: Makey Makey and Hummingbird Projects
LEGO
LEGO Education Digital Catalog
Lyndhurst STEM Club for Girls Special Request
Presentations
Many unique groups have requested professional learning from our district maker team. We have provided maker training and experiences for administrators, beginning teachers, entire schools, the district as a whole and at state conferences. Each experience is uniquely created for the audience and is ALWAYS focuses on curriculum integration and future workforce skills. Below is a presentation we created for the Maker Ed Conference in Pittsburg, PA in October so 2019 detailing the evolution of our current program.
Mindset for Maker Access for All Students: A Wake County Public School System Model
- Details about how the WCPSS maker program works. Topics covered: school district demographics, start up details, staff buy-in, curriculum connections, materials, space, planning, budget. Presented at the MakerEd conference in Pittsburg, PA October 12, 2019
Learning: Them & Me 