As a brief overview, I would like to start with trying to define a Makerspace. A Makerspace generally means that it is a place where students meet, collaborate, or work on their own, to make things. Makerspaces might focus on electronics, programming, sewing, fly tying, 3D printing, robotics, knitting, paper circuits, marble runs, cardboard crafts, or some combination of these skills.
Our Makerspace has the goal of catering to the interest of the students. What is offered for students to explore and try is up to them and the club will attempt to provide students access to the necessary materials or technology. We learn from each other, share in our successes, and understand failure is never a bad thing, it is an opportunity to learn something new.
The first couple of months of the new Makerspace Club have started off with great success! We were able to reach our fundraising goal for materials and products in just 11 days! The students are so thankful for the amazing support from the community that didn’t stop with just monetary donations, but also extended to materials donated by the Salathe and Davis families, as well as from Proctor Academy. Mr. Reynolds, who has donated his time as a volunteer to help the students with Raspberry Pi’s and various other projects as well. Thank you to everyone!
February was a great month for the club as the Robotics Club from Proctor Academy stopped by to give a presentation on the robot they are building for a competition they are attending. The students were able to ask about the building and creation process and were also allowed to control the robot! So many students were inspired by this voluntary visit from Proctor students and many later began to explore creating their own robots!
Perler beads have been such a huge success in the crafting area of the Makerspace. Mr. Tyler had to purchase more supplies to keep up with the demand. We have already seen pixel art created with the beads. There has been a Mario and a Yoshi created already, and some Pokemon, a Patriot’s logo, and even Mr. Tyler’s Bitmoji is in the process of being created right now!
Snap Circuits, Lego Mindstorms, and the Vex robotics kit are being explored by a few groups of students as well. The creativity of the students after they learn how to create something is always astounding, and it is so cool to see where they take something newly learned and add their own personal touch to it. Green screen animations and movies are being explored as well with StikBot Animation, and our video editing software.
We also have had students bring in projects and materials from home. This is always welcome as students are encouraged to show a skill or share their personal knowledge about new items. The two Salathe boys brought in their Anki Car racing kit which lets you build your own race track and challenge opponents to races. You control the cars with iPads or smart device, and the Salathes presented to the group how the product works, and organized a very well-planned tournament system that was a huge hit with the whole group. It was very cool to see the students create (on their own) a whole system that was fair and promoted collaboration and critical thinking skills.
As the club progresses we are always looking for more materials and crafts to boost the student’s creativity. Any paper towel rolls, pool noodles, or standard lego kits that could be donated would be absolutely appreciated and used right away! We also have room for other students to join and explore what a Makerspace Club is and what we do in the club. It may be hard to define accurately, but the best way to make up your mind about the club is to give it a try! It’s open for grades 4-8.
Again, from the Makerspace Club, we would all like to thank everyone for their contributions and donations as well as the amazing support from the community for this new club. The students are enjoying the projects and the opportunities the club provides, and that is in very large part due to the amazing support from parents, AE/MS staff, Proctor Academy, and the whole Andover community. Thank you!