MakerSpace Playbook

Sara Gold sgold@wils.org
Community Liaison & Service
Specialist, WiLS
WEMTA 2014

A Makerspace
“serves as a gathering point for tools, projects, mentors and
expertise. A collection of tools does not define a Makerspace.
Rather, we define it by what it enables: making”.
“A Makerspace is a learning environment rich with possibilities”.
From MakerSpace.com

Beginnings: What & Why
of the Makerspace
Maker Ingredients
Space
Tools and Materials
Programming
Makerspace Mindset
Source: Makerspace Playbook School Edition
Nuts and Bolts
Inventory
Budget
Safety
Getting Started
Documenting
WI Makerspaces

What we are doing and why: origins of the Maker movement

Maker Movement was spurred by new
technologies which encourage
experimental play.
2005 MAKE magazine launched by
MAKERSPACE , Sebastopol, CA
2006 First Maker Faire hosted

Believe if you can imagine it you can make it
Seek out opportunities to learn to do new
things
A community of creative people who help one
another do better
Celebrate other makers

Experimental play is a source of creativity,
inspiration and innovation.
Formal education does not make room for play in
curriculum
Jet Propulsion Lab

Making is innovative and resourceful
 Intrinsically motivated
Identify challenges and are persistent
Take risks, are creative & open-minded
Learn to collaborate as well as take and give
advice
Develop a sense of social responsibility

Physical Spaces
Tools & Toys
Programming
MS Mindset

Computer lab
Library
Home Ec/Darkroom
Stagecraft
Outdoors
Cafeteria

Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative
Collaboration by Scott Doorley and Scott Witthoft.
Space should be conducive to inspiration, collaboration
and conversation
Balance between promoting social interaction and privacy
Aim for easily changed layouts for your space
Include “hang out “ areas if possible

LittleBits
Makey Makey
Legos
Recycled Materials
Technology Toolbox
Monkey Jump

Assess what your Maker Space requires before
buying materials
Acquire general-use equipment before task-specific
tools
Keep in mind that equipment begets equipment
Include a first aid kit
Page 10 of Makerspace Playbook has a tool list

Starter projects
Crafts for Kids
Howtoons
Browse MAKE:
Projects
Exploratorium’s
Tinkering Studio

Figure out what you want to
learn
Cut and collect
Play with something new
See what’s out there

Defining scope
Setting schedules
Teaching new skills and keeping it fresh
Working together and apart

• Making is about
developing one’s
full potential
• Everyone is a
maker
• Our world is what
we make it
• It’s all right to
make mistakes
• We help one
another do better

Find an advocate with a wallet
Beg and Borrow
RECYCLE
Buy Used
Just in-time purchasing
Partner with other teachers
 See Resources in Makerspace Playbook for “Makerspace in a Box” toolkit

Dream Big, Start Small
Ask your Parent Teacher Organization
for help
Wait for critical mass to purchase items
Ask for donations over the summer

Plan for safety
Post safety checklists
Use tools right
Dress right
Clean up
Create a set of behavioral expectations and common
safety rules and discuss them with makers

Spread your idea
Identify student makers
Come up with an identity
Find funding
Setup a website or blog
Recruit mentors
Set a deadline and meeting dates

Notebooks for students
Blogs
Project binders
Photos
Posters
Videos
Digital Stories

 2014 inaugural year, Corey hosting three events after school from 6-8pm for
students and parents.
 1st event in January was to make anything participants wanted to with the goal
being to explore the maker concept.
 2nd event was to make games for the school carnival in March
 3rd event in April is aimed at making things with 3D modeling software.
 Currently do not have drop-in hours

Concept:
VV Makerspace reflects a conceptual shift in the LMC overall. Information can be made into
something else just like cardboard or wires.
Planning:
Started planning Fall 2013 for 3-4 events in 2014
Funding:
 Building funds for some light art supplies and glue guns. Most of what we used was recyclable
materials and was donated.
 For the 3D printing night, might charge a nominal fee to cover costs of materials or have it
remain free to build interest in technology and process. The PTO and private donations funded
3D printer.

http://www.youtube.com/v/a7ld2cMZDjI

• Inspiration was the
quote:
"An avalanche begins with
a snowflake”
~Joseph Compton
• 2200 students and 150
staff and almost every
person created a
snowflake
• Many teachers
incorporated the activity
into their lesson plans.

• Project inspired by Dreaming
Up: A Celebration of
Celebration by Christy Hale
• First graders rotated through
5 stations using a variety of
materials to build.
• Dedicated two class sessions
so each student could visit
each station.
• Each station had an iPad to
allow students to document
their work.
Photos:
http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2013/10/dreamin
g-up.htmlstations
Book Jacket Image: Lee and Low

Started with some chess sets and
Makey Makey sets

MakerSpace Playbook

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