WHAT IS MAKERSPACE?

​Makerspace is a new movement in education. It promotes creativity, problem solving, and collaboration. In addition to that, it allows children to participate in highly engaged, hands-on learning. It's not just about making stuff though. It's always related back to skills instruction and subject areas such as math, science, art, social studies, and language arts. Watch this video to learn more:

Students are encouraged to build things to help them understand a concept better by making abstract concepts more concrete. It also allows them to represent their learning in a way other than through written or oral presentations. Students can build things from playdough, cardboard, Lego, or any number of materials. They can also deconstruct items to learn how they work. Maker projects can be high tech by using coding, robotics, and circuitry; they can also be created with natural items, such as sticks and twine. This video shows makerspace in action at an elementary school:

​If you'd like to know even more, here is the link to a fascinating article called "How to Help Kids Innovate at a Young Age." By reading this, you will learn about the educational research taking place in Ontario elementary schools. Their findings show the following:

• Teachers in all participating schools stated that their students are more engaged and more motivated when they are learning in a makerspace environment.
• They also noticed a reduction in discipline problems. And they recorded improvements in academic achievement, particularly among students with learning disabilities and those who struggle in a traditional classroom setting.
• Giving students the freedom to pursue projects that are authentic, meaningful and based on their own “wonderings” or passions has provided opportunities for a more personalized and inclusive learning experience for all students.

Stay tuned! We will regularly be posting photos and videos of student creations. We will also let you know how you might help us through volunteering or donating materials.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Sieben (Principal), Mrs. Kurio (Library), Ms. Den Ouden (Accelerate Reading Program), or Mrs. Neufeld (LAT).