Oh my gosh, folks! I just needed to share that I feel like it is finally starting to happen! A few years ago I had a distant interest in starting a makerspace. A little over a year ago that started to become a reality as I had funds and could began brainstorming, pricing, and ordering. About six months ago I began the process of organizing, barcoding, labeling, and beginning implementation steps. Then I started sending out information to teachers; then classes came through to try out items; then I started leading meetings with different departments and grade levels to show them what the items are and help generate curriculum specific ideas; and then I created a shared folder of all the documents I had emailed, shared at meetings, etc. And this week, it happened! This week a 7th grade science teacher used one of my ideas and checked out 4 of my 5 sets of Bloxels as a project option for students to replicate the water cycle Another science teacher asked to chat about using Google Expeditions on fossils. A 6th grade Humanities teacher checked out several of our makerspace items for an enrichment activity for her students one day. Two 5th grade girls came down on Monday during 5th grade open time. (They're my two regulars so far during that time. Others come and go. One of them even told her mom, "Mom, it's Monday! That means I get to go to the Makerspace today!") Five students were using the Makerspace with their teacher during 7th period on Friday, followed up by almost ten 6th - 8th grade students during their Open Makerspace Time during study hall. Earlier in the week during study hall, two sets of partners came to design and print a monument for a social studies Black History Month project that I got to assist them with a bit. I know we still have a ways to go, but it’s starting! The Makerspace is starting to become integrated into projects and curriculum! It's moving forward, by steps and not leaps, but it's progressing! Mom, it's Monday! That means I get to go to the Makerspace today As you start a Makerspace, the process of getting it off the ground, getting people involved, generating teacher buy in, and getting teachers to see curriculum ties or students to see project ties feels like it takes eons. And you feel sometimes like you're not gaining traction. But you are and you will. Just keep brainstorming, plugging away, and trying different things. Brainstorm with others when you can. Find what is holding you, your teachers, or your students back from moving forward, and chip away at what you can when you can. You'll get there! Find what is holding you, your teachers, or your students back from moving forward, and chip away at what you can when you can. You'll get there! I'm no where near done with chipping away and getting things to move forward, but I feel like this week was a huge step forward! We've had a lot of germs being shared in my household lately, but I do hope to start putting together another blog post soon to go through how I've been running the meetings I've had in the Makerspace with departments and share out some of my documents or ideas that I think may be helpful.
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