Makerspace: Technology and Tinkering

What is a Makerspace?

A makerspace is an area or areas where students come to explore, build, create, and tinker. Tinkering is an iterative process in which students question, explore, experiment, and evaluate their progress toward a specific goal. A makerspace may look different in different classrooms and the area may include different materials throughout the year. Since a makerspace is not limited to specific materials, the value of the space is not subject-specific. Maker-oriented classrooms provide students with opportunities to develop the thinking dispositions necessary for innovating and creating across the domains.

What is the Makerspace: Technology and Tinkering course?

Makerspace: Technology and Tinkering brings exciting engineering and design opportunities into the classroom. The maker revolution has opened the door for educators. Invention, tinkering and design can deeply engage learners in creative collaboration, the development of shared knowledge and problem-solving processes. This fully online course will introduce participants to the maker movement, its history, and key classroom applications.

What will you learn in the Makerspace: Technology and Tinkering course?

Teachers will gain access to practical ideas and strategies that can be applied immediately in the classroom. Participants will learn how to develop makerspace within their classrooms and will explore specific pedagogies for maker-centered learning.

The course covers the following:

• The Maker Movement
• Researched rational for setting up a makerspace and tinkering classroom
• The essentials of developing a makerspace classroom culture
• Online tools and resources for your classroom
• Examples of notable makerspaces

National Standards

All of the readings and activities included in this course support the Common Core Mathematics Content and Practice Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the ISTE Standards for Computer Science Educators

NOTE: There is no required textbook for this course. Participants will explore relevant online videos, podcasts, websites, articles, and other resources.

“Wow- tons of valuable information for learning about and creating makerspaces in your school or classroom!”

-Teacher, New York

“This class was AMAZING! The resources were applicable and bountiful. I am looking forward to implementing many Makerspace concepts into my classroom.”

-Teacher, Ohio

This course is applicable towards the STEM Teaching Certificate.