Maker Philosophy

1. Maker Philosophy: The purpose of this category is to have candidates explore and develop an understanding of the philosophical and pedagogical roots that are expressed via Making, like constructivism, constructionism, and other progressive educational models (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, etc.) plus the historic and cultural context that led to the current Maker movement.

To meet the expectations for this section, candidates are expected to:
Endorsement Expectations
  • Provide a personal definition of making.
  • Read excerpts from a selected reading list curated by the Maker Endorsement Advisory Group.
  • Publish personalized reflections on the readings or other activities that impact your Maker philosophy. Reflections should include a discussion of equity, diversity, and access as it applies to Making.
  • Craft a personal statement that articulates your Maker philosophy.
  • Connect your Maker philosophy to the work exhibited in all other Endorsement sections through explicit references and connect these ideas to your UTeach experience and preparation.
 

Maker Philosophy Resources:

Mindstorms: Children Computers and Powerful Ideas The Art of Tinkering Maker Manifesto Ken Robinson on Flourishing – This video provides insight into how teaching for diversity rather than conformity can help students find their passion.
Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work
Gever Tulley: Life lessons through tinkering (TED Talk) - Tinkering School founder Gever Tulley talks about the power of setting children’s minds free!

MakerEd Alignment:

Creating Learner Driven Curriculum - earn a micro-credential from MakerEd to add to your Maker Showcase and show employers


Maker Project

2. Maker Project: The purpose of this category is to illustrate the candidate's personal experiences as a Maker. This section provides the opportunity for candidates to highlight their "maker mindset" as well as the dispositions involved in making. Participation in a personal project will support candidates in experiencing the playful, growth oriented, and collaborative nature of Making.

To meet the expectations for this section, candidates are expected to:
Endorsement Expectations
  • Provide documentation of a Maker project of their own design that includes the creation of an original artifact and a public exhibition of the artifact
  • Document various stages of the product including initiation, intermediate stages, and the final product. Show that more than one iteration of the product was attempted. Use evidence to show how the product was modified, re-conceptualized, or adapted in the face of challenges.
  • Product shows a high level of individualization and represents an experience of clear personal significance.
  • Documentation of the product creation highlights the use of multiple technologies, both low and high tech, such as: hand & power tools, programming, open-source tools, electronics, soldering, crafts, digital fabrication, and tinkering.
  • Provide evidence of the development of STEM expertise through the creation of this Maker artifact.
  • Indicate the use of community resources and collaboration with others during creation of the product.
  • Craft and publish a reflection on the creation process that includes an explicit connection to your Maker philosophy and UTeach experience.

 

Maker Project Resources:

 

Invent to Learn Guide to Fun Project Ignite Sew Electric Introduction to design thinking from d-school at Stanford 50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) - A great book from Tinkering mastermind Gever Tulley. It sets adults minds at ease and encourages kids and adults to relax, have fun, and learn a bit from “dangerous” activities.
SparkFun - A great resource for electronic supplies as well as a resource for learning how to use those electronic supplies. SparkFun has been enthusiasticly supporting Makers and Maker Education for a number of years. Their SparkFun Inventor’s Kits are a great place to get started with electronics.
Adafruit - Another excellent resource for electronics with a focus on tutorials and education. Lots of fun projects and a very well curated store. Look here for wearable electronics projects.
Opendesk.cc - A fun source for furniture plans and inspiration. All plans are designed to be easily cut from plywood on a CNC router. Plans are free to download, modify, and build. They will also connect you with local manufacturers.
Cardboard Fundamentals from Adafruit - Everything you need to know about working with cardboard.



Maker Education

3. Maker Education: The purpose of this section is to showcase the connections between Making as a personal endeavor and the broader arena of Maker education, specifically as it applies to secondary classrooms. This section should include a discussion of educational issues such as issues of access and equity (including under-representation in STEM fields and other barriers), strategies for integrating Making with curriculum, the use of rubrics to support student Makers, and insights into classroom management strategies for Maker environments.

To meet the expectations for this section, candidates are expected to:
Endorsement Expectations
  • Provide documentation of their experiences with K-12 students involved in Making. These experiences may occur inside formal classrooms, at internship sites, or other sites that host weekend, after school, or summer programs for students.
  • Provide evidence of creating and implementing a Maker lesson with students. Including, but not limited to, a completed Maker Lesson Summary. Include a reflection on the process and suggestions for revision.
  • Highlight the use of multiple technologies with K-12 students, both low and high tech, such as: hand & power tools, programming, open-source tools, electronics, soldering, crafts, digital fabrication, and tinkering.
  • Provide a list of Maker resources that will be useful to them as classroom teachers.
  • Craft and publish personalized reflections attending to the educational experiences mentioned above. This should include a discussion on issues of equity, diversity, and access as it relates to K-12 Maker education setting you are in. Explicitly connect these ideas to your Maker philosophy and UTeach experience.

 

Maker Education Resources:

 

Agency By Design Invent to Learn Meaningful Making Project Zero CLMOOC Make Bank Tons of cool makes that can be turned into lessons here. Open Portfolio Journey Map from Maker Ed Learn more about open portfolios to support your maker lessons.

MakerEd Alignment:

Documenting and Reflecting on Making - earn a micro-credential from MakerEd to add to your Maker Showcase and show employers

 



Maker Community

4. Maker Community: The purpose of this section is to illustrate that Making is an activity that occurs within complex communities. Making involves links to a wide array of people that bring diverse expertise and perspectives. These community networks support the connection to Making to a larger social context and provide productive pathways for learning

To meet the expectations for this section, candidates are expected to:
Endorsement Expectations
  • Provide documentation of engagement with the broader Maker community. This engagement may be in person or virtual. It may include participating in local or national maker events, such as maker Faire. It may include interacting through online courses, forums, or other virtual activities where endorsement candidates are connected to other Makers. This section should include some activities beyond the required UTeach Maker cohort meetings such as weekend workshops, Maker meet ups, etc
  • Document a volunteer or leadership role in at least one Maker event or program
  • Reflect on issues of equity, diversity, and access as it relates to the Maker program or event you are involved with. Connect reflections to your Maker philosophy and your UTeach experience.

 

Maker Community Resources:

 

Austin MakerEd Meetup MakerEd.org Makerspaces.com #makered Maker Faire - Inspiration from Makers from the original Faire in the Bay area and all over the world. You’ll be blown away by what humans are creating.
Maker Faire: Austin - Austin is also home to a Maker Faire. Typically held in early May be sure you attend. You’ll see first hand so many projects and meet a great community of Makers eager to share their stories and encourage you along your own Maker path.
< href="http://austintinkeringschool.com/">Austin Tinkering School - Looking for an amazing example of what kids can do when given freedom, stop by Austin Tinkering School. A wide range of ages are encouraged to invent, be messy, explore, fail, and grow in a safe and fun setting. You’ll be blown away with what such young people can create when adults get out of the way!
ATX Hackerspace SX Create - Part of SXSW’s annual festival, Create is a free, and open to the public, showcase for Makers and companies that work in Maker focused arenas. It’s a great place to get exposure to the Maker community.
Thinkery – Austin's hands-on, science-based children's museum.
TechShop Austin - A tool nerd's dream shop. TechShops are top of the line Makerspaces that anyone can join and realize their making dreams. If you need a tool, (or need to learn how to use one) from sewing machines to CNC waterjet cutters, this is the place to visit. Your monthly membership fee gives you access and they charge a bit to learn to use the tools.



 

Disclaimer

 

UTeach Maker Certificate and UTeach Maker Endorsements are micro-credentials of the UTeach Program at The University of Texas at Austin only. They are not affiliated with the Texas Education Agency or Maker Media Inc.

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