The Library Voice
How Librarians are Rockin’ the Makerspace Movement
Shhh! You’re in the library! As the great-granddaughter of a librarian, I was brought up to know that the quiet of the library was sacred space. Overcoming Limitations to Making We all need more money, more space, and more time. The Purpose of a Makerspace Just making is not enough—the media center’s main focus still has to be to support engagement with the curriculum. Engaging Older Makers It may be easy enough to get elementary-schoolers involved in making, but what about teenagers? Where to Start It was so much fun seeing the excitement of all these proud media center parents as they shared the triumphs, trials, and tips of creating a makerspace. Don’t make it a competition. More Resources
From Coding to Coding:
As we saw from the many sessions about coding during ISTE 2015, the topic of programming computers is back in fashion. Way back when, computers had been tools used only by scientists and hobbyists, but personal computers changed everything. PCs took commands from anyone who knew how to communicate with them. We could type on the keyboard and watch the monitor for the results (and hope for the best). No more punch cards, greybar printouts (with or without fatal errors), or time-sharing. We communicated with these machines by programming or coding—writing the line-by-line instructions that told the computer what to do. In schools, we debated what computers were good for, and at first the answer was programming. I wrote a grant proposal for a classroom full of TRS-80s. The very first issue of Classroom Computer News (CCN) in 1980 celebrated programming. He designed Gramaze, a game to help students identify direct objects in sentences. The Web was the next new thing.
learning. happens. here. — The MHMS Daring School Library Blog
A Librarian's Guide to Makerspaces: 16 Resources
"There were more than 135 million adult makers, more than half of the total adult population in America, in 2015." What is a makerspace? You’ve no doubt been hearing that word more than a few times over the past several years. There were more than 135 million adult makers, more than half of the total adult population in America, in 2015. Articles & Blog Posts on Makerspaces 1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) 10. ) It all started with a training offered by the Washington State Library… Part of the “Between the Lines” series of the Washington State Library Blog, this post describes one library manager’s first encounter with STEM-based makerspace programming. 12.) Maker Faire Touted as the “greatest show and tell on earth,” Maker Faire has emerged as the official international celebration of not only creativity, resourcefulness, and innovation but also a mass gathering of the maker movement at large. Makerspaces Directories 1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) Revitalizing Community Spaces
How Fair Is Your Maker Space?
All students should be able to benefit from maker spaces and maker education, which emphasize student-driven learning and foster the development of 21st-century skills. However, not all maker spaces and activities are created equal. Some feature high-tech equipment such as 3-D printers and scanners, programmable robots, mini-computers, and high-tech construction toys—equipment carrying a hefty price tag that not all schools can afford. In addition, maker space activities may cater to certain kids’ interests but not others—including dynamics that educators might not even be aware of. Plus, is self-directed learning the best type for all kids? Here are answers and ways to address these issues. A maker space on a shoestring How can schools with limited budgets invest money in fancy tech for a maker space? Last year, the Montour School District in McKees Rocks, PA, set up its first maker space in an elementary school library in one day. The low-tech/no-tech advantage Inclusive maker spaces
The Librarian Who Doesn't Say Shhh!
25 Makerspace (STEM / STEAM) Projects For Kids
Makerspace or STEM projects for kids don’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best projects use recycled or repurposed items like cardboard or soda bottles which means nothing to buy. Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorite projects that are great for makerspaces. Learn how to make a boat out of a soda bottle, create a car from cardboard and many more. Get the FREE Makerspace Info Bundle Build a simple circuit using a pizza box (no soldering required) Create circuit tiles which are interchangeable blocks used to form different circuits. Using a simple hobby motor and cardboard, you can make a frog robot that is very entertaining. Learn how to make this simple foam boat with dc motor and homemade propeller. These battery powered cars are super fun and can be made with a few basic parts. Paper circuits are a really great way to learn the basics of circuits and electricity. Make a flying airplane using cardboard, a coke bottle and a DC hobby motor.
New School Libraries and Student Achievement
Skip to content Stephen's Lighthouse Stephen Abram's Posts About Library Land Sign In School Libraries and Student Achievement School Libraries and Student Achievement (Via LRS) Stephen Posted on: November 10, 2014, 6:38 amCategory: Uncategorized Comments Off on School Libraries and Student Achievement 0 Responses Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post. Subscribe Site RSS feed About The Author Stephen Abram is a librarian and principal with Lighthouse Consulting Inc., and executive director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries. Recent Comments Categories Archives Tags
