This year, one of my big goals is to develop makerspaces around campus – including in the library. We have already formed a group of interested teachers, ready to take on the challenge. Due to space limitations, we are proposing a maker class (with each teacher teaching a specialized portion) and several small maker areas, each with a specific theme.

In meeting and reviewing all things maker, I have stumbled upon some amazing resources, which I have included in one presentation.

Today’s updates include:

• Making ideal learning spaces
• The Exploratorium, based out of San Francisco, offers a free tinkering/maker course online. You are responsible for purchasing the materials for the course, though.
• A ton of ideas:
• Projects with old books:
• Butterfly art in old textbooks
• LED Project Ideas:
• LED Hand-drawn Cards
• LED bridge card
• Penny batteries
• Battery Ideas:
• Penny batteries
• Tiny dancers with magnets
• Music Integration:
• Make string instruments – can adapt to fit age appropriate material
• Wearable electronics/Sewable tech:
  • Site with ideas for sewable art – artist site – would Bea Baldwin be interested in this?  
  • Image search of wearable electronics – Bea Baldwin?
  • Soft Circuit handbook
  • Soft Circuits instructables
  • Host soft circuit workshop for parents, teachers, and students

• Tech equipment:
• Makey-Makeys
• Idea for makerspace centered around makeymakeys
• Arduinos
• Raspberry Pis
• Create a life-size arcade game/machine
• 3D printers
• Drones
• Sphero (tickleapp)
• Follow Sphero on Twitter for great ideas
• Parrot mini drone
• Extra reading:
• Fostering creativity with makerspaces article
• How to build your own makerspace article
• Mobile Makerspaces article

You can learn more on STEAM and maker movements at fennovation.org.

Enjoy!