Makerspace Projects for Inspiring Student Engagement and Learning
-
- Spectrum Blog
- Nov 14, 2023
-
58views
As the school year begins to find its rhythm, we invite educators to explore these exciting Makerspace kits designed to captivate students' imaginations and foster their creative potential. These hands-on learning experiences not only keep students engaged but also equip them with valuable skills for navigating the real-world challenges of tomorrow.
Why the “maker mentality” works
According to the World Economic Forum, a staggering 65 percent of today's students will eventually find themselves in jobs and careers that have yet to be defined. As an educator, you've likely encountered this statistic time and again, and it underscores the formidable task of preparing our students for a future filled with uncertainty.
Enter the makerspace, a dynamic resource that can transform your classroom into a hotbed of innovation. Embracing the 'maker mentality' opens doors to a world of possibilities.
In the Canadian educational landscape: personalized, hands-on, experiential learning offers an ideal avenue for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Makerspaces empower students to innovate, taking their existing knowledge and applying it to solve real-world challenges.
Beyond nurturing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, makerspace projects also cultivate a broader set of 21st-century competencies, such as collaboration and communication, which are indispensable for thriving in future careers.
Makerspace kits and projects to help get you started
Having access to a makerspace at school certainly makes hands-on learning easier, and our kits are a great option whether you’re just starting out, or looking to expand your materials. So, if you’re looking to reinvigorate student learning, or maybe wrap up the year with some creative ideas to keep kids exploring, check out some of our favorite kits and activities below.
STEAM Cardboard Construction Classroom kit featuring Makedo Product
All the materials you need to create your first makerspace place and encourage students to explore and be innovative.
Crazy Circuits Makerspace Set
The Makerspace Set has everything you need to get an entire classroom making with Crazy Circuits. Create projects both big and small with over 160 included parts.
littleBits® STEAM+ Coding Kit
Invent and code with one, easy to use kit. The littleBits® STEAM+ Coding Kit contains 25 Bits, a newly designed durable storage container, printed teacher support materials and 40+ hours of standards-aligned STEAM and Coding curriculum.
Strawbees® Steam School Kit
The Strawbees® Maker Kit allows students to build, test, and modify large-scale mechanical structures with recyclable plastic connectors that are easily modified and super flexible. Designed for grades K-6.
Bristlebot
Students will build a small robot using a toothbrush head and googly eyes that will scurry along a flat surface. Adjust the balance and placement of the attachable pipe cleaners to change the way they move and behave with an easy-to-add vibrating motor. Perfect for grades 3-12.
Cricut Explore® 3
The DIY dream machine. Cut, draw, score, and more with the DIY dream machine—now smarter and faster than ever. From vinyl, iron-on, cardstock, and specialty materials like bonded fabric and cork, Cricut Explore 3 works with 100+ materials, bringing incredible speed and precision to every project.
Glowforge Plus (Laser Cutter)
Meet Glowforge. It uses a beam of light the width of a human hair to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials. There’s a lot you can do with that kind of power: it’s having the perfect gift when you need one. A way to furnish your space. A personal boutique. A sandbox for your inventions. A launchpad for your business. And that's just the start.
Shaping Tomorrow's Innovators Today
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, makerspaces have emerged as powerful tools for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. As Canadian educators, embracing the 'maker mentality' and implementing makerspaces in our classrooms empowers our students to not only meet the challenges of an unpredictable future but to thrive in it. With the right tools and resources, students can embark on a journey of exploration and innovation, equipping them with the skills they need to tackle tomorrow's uncharted territories.
By making experiential learning an integral part of our educational approach, we're not just preparing students for the unknown—we're inspiring them to shape it.
For a firsthand experience of the exciting world of makerspaces and to equip your classroom with the best resources, reach out to Ninah Lucila (STEM Sales) at nlucila@spectrumed.com. Obtain a quote for our products, and start shaping your students' future today.
Related Posts
