Makerspaces; getting it

Laura Fleming really nailed it about makerspaces in SLJ; that it's about the pedagogy, that a makerspace is not a STEM lab, that it is a chance for discovery and ownership of one's learning.

If time is short for you, here are the important sound-bites:

"A true makerspace offers student-driven opportunity for open-ended exploration for everyone. Makerspaces are a mind-set, a culture. It’s about the pedagogy. A great makerspace has seven key attributes: It is personalized, deep (allowing deeper learning), empowering, equitable, differentiated, intentional, and inspiring. If you have all of that, you can call your space a makerspace—maybe even a great makerspace."

"I think that’s probably been the most powerful question: What else can that be?"

"Makerspaces are not only for “gifted and talented” kids. They are not “rewards” for those who complete their academic work early. They are not meant to be a special club. An important aspect of the makerspace mind-set is opening up a world for kids who might not otherwise enjoy or excel in traditional academia. It’s about creating that chance for exploration and discovery for everyone."

"Makerspaces are not STEM labs. For some reason, STEM has become almost synonymous with makerspaces. That’s something that I fight against. People create a STEM lab and call it a makerspace, but they run it like a typical class with teacher-driven specific assignments. Students come in, sit and listen to directions, then create 30 identical little robots. That is not a makerspace, it’s a STEM lab. STEM labs are fantastic, but they should be called STEM labs."