How to Create a Classroom Makerspace
How to Create a Classroom Makerspace - Tips from UTeach Maker Fellow, Kira Lowry
Maker Philosophy Resources:
- Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas
- The Art of Tinkering
- The Maker Movement 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.
- Why Education Needs the Maker Movement
Maker Project Resources:
- Invent to Learn Guide to Fun
- Project Ignite
- Sew Electric
- An Introduction to Design Thinking from Institute of Design 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 enthusiastically 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.
Maker Community Resources:
- Austin MakerEd Meetup
- MakerEd.org
- Makerspaces.com
- Search #makered on Twitter
- Maker Faire - Inspiration from Makers from the original Faire in the Bay area and all over the world.
- Maker Faire: Austin - Austin is also home to a Maker Faire, typically held in early May. You’ll see lots of cool projects and meet a great community of Makers eager to share their stories and encourage you along your own Maker path.
- Austin Tinkering School - If you're looking for an amazing example of what kids can do when given freedom, stop by Austin Tinkering School. Kids of all ages are encouraged to invent, be messy, explore, fail, and grow in a safe and fun setting.
- 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 areas. It’s a great place to get exposure to the Maker community.
- Thinkery - Austin's hands-on, science-based children's museum.