As the Maker Movement continues to influence early education, K–12, and even higher education, many times, it is school librarians who’ve helped to create these hands-on STEAM experiences. So, we’ve compiled this white paper with tips on leveraging library environments in designing unique and active lessons, measuring success in school makerspaces, and more.
The MakerBot SKETCH Classroom solution comes with lots of 3D printing materials and curriculum resources that help teachers effectively integrate 3D printing lessons in their schools. Most notably, it includes two compact MakerBot SKETCH 3D printers, access to MakerBot’s CloudPrint platform, MakerBot certification licenses, and over 600 makerspace lesson plans.
Integrating the arts with elements of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics often means that students can access more opportunities to think creatively and discover their passions. As STEAM solutions become increasingly prevalent in schools, including in arts and humanities classes, we’ve pinpointed eight of the most helpful tools for your theater students.
Whether they prefer the Glowforge Pro or the Glowforge Plus laser printer, students can quickly translate digital designs into tangible inventions while bringing their ideas to life. They could print on paper, fabric, hardwood, tile, metal, glass, leather, plywood, cardboard, or even food using these unique machines and the large library of classroom-friendly Glowforge projects.
Social-emotional learning is a process—and it’s arguably one that students never truly complete. Educators can, however, always help kids strengthen key emotional competencies and hands-on experiences in their classroom can play a large role, especially when they take part in STEAM or MakerEd initiatives that help them connect to their projects on an emotional level.
Makerspaces really help educators create dynamic and real-world learning scenarios for students but they do not always have to include all the latest bells and whistles. So much planning sometimes goes into designing new school makerspaces from your budget considerations to your technology research and, if you’re looking to get started, our team is ready to help.
More than ever before, we’re understanding how makerspace experiences help provide students with emotional benefits in addition to vital academic ones. If today’s students are having any variety of academic, emotional, or any other personal problems, for example, putting them aside and making something is a great way to help them shift their focus and reduce stress.
It’s a broad question and one that will elicit different answers from different people. There are lots of reasons as to why K–12 makerspace experiences provide everyone from kids to experienced manufacturers with excitement, value, and intrigue. And, although the reasoning behind why makerspaces are important are extensive, they usually tie back to a particular mission.
STEM and STEAM education, understandably, have plenty in common and educators can use some similar tools and strategies while they’re teaching both. To start, STEAM education involves opportunities for students to add more artistry and creativity to these projects and, by moving from STEM to STEAM, they can learn to display their knowledge using new techniques.
The Mayku FormBox is a largely ready-to-use STEM solution with (almost) everything that students need to start manufacturing their own molds. The pack comes with the FormBox, Mayku Cast sheets, Mayku Form sheets, a power cord, a first making kit, a suction tube, and even a universal vacuum connector. They just need a vacuum tube and we have all the tips inside.
