This document discusses the origins of a maker space program at East Hardin Middle School. It began when students expressed interest in computer programming and engineering. The teacher implemented a genius hour program for student-led exploration. This was successful, inspiring the creation of a full maker space where students can explore subjects like computer programming, fashion design, robotics, and more through hands-on creation. The document provides definitions of a maker space and examples of resources like books and websites to support the maker space approach to learning.

1. #flycloser EdCamp
#MakersAblaze
with MakerEd
STEAMing
Closer to
the Sun
with Maker Ed
Maker Space Facilitators: Claire & Abby
By Brooke Whitlow, @lincolnslady96
East Hardin Middle School Tech Ed

2. #MakersAblaze
I am NOT a Maker
Expert! I am simply
passionate about the
possibilities making
can provide my
students.

3. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Scenario: Beginning of the 2013 school year, Tech Ed
students filled out a survey about how they wanted the
"new" Tech Ed to look. Multiple students stated they wanted
to learn how to "create their own computer games" while
others stated they wanted to "know how a computer really
works."
...where it all started...
Result:
One nervous, paranoid, brand-new Tech Ed teacher.
Comfort
Zone
me

4. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Learning + Passion = Magic
Result:
After frustration then success...learning so
beautiful it made the once paranoid Tech Ed
teacher secretly cry tears of joy.
Scenario: After blog reading and conferences, #geniushour was
implemented as a time for students to explore passions in
which they originally expressed an interest.

5. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Hmmm....Why not?
If #GeniusHour
was such a
success, why not
make EVERY day
a version of the
same?

6. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Maker Space: Defined
Official Definition:
A Makerspace is a learning environment rich with possibilities. As new
hardware and software tools for making, digital design, and fabrication are
emerging, we're working together — with teachers and community leaders
— to place those tools into the hands of a wider audience.
Source: Makerspace.com
My Definition:
A physical space where students explore, innovate,
fail, succeed, grow and learn by creating...stuff.

7. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Learning by Exploration
Computer
Programming
Fashion Design
Animation
Engineering
Robotics
Newscasting
Film Production
Graphic Design
Website Design
CAD & 3D
Printing

8. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Why "Making"...?

9. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Make Your Own MakerEd
http://goo.gl/r863XH
Take a minute, visit
this Padlet and post
a quick idea on how
you can create a
little Maker Ed in
your own classroom.

10. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Make Your Own MakerEd
http://goo.gl/r863XH

11. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Inside My Brain: Evernote Access
ISTE Notes on Making:
Tweet me on our hashtag
#MakersAblaze and let me know you
want to see inside! I will send you an
email invite to the notebook.

12. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Resources: Books & Websites
Invent to Learn: Making, Tinkering and Engineering in the
Classroom
by Silvia Libow Martinez & Gary Stager, PhD.
Sew Electric: A Collection of DIY Projects that Combine
Fabric, Electronics and Programming
by Leah Buechley & Kanjum Qui
Table Top Inventing:
www.ttinvent.com/iste2014
www.ttinvent.com/bootcamp
#inventorsbootcamp
Mozilla WebMaker
webmaker.com

13. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
STLP & Maker Spaces

14. #MakersAblaze
...where it all started...
Mini-Maker Space #MakersAblaze
iPhone/iPad
microscopes
.5" X 2" plexiglass
sandpaper
(inside a computer mouse or laser
pointer)
LED lens
rubberband
Drill