BLC16

Our workshop will provide a hands-on opportunity to experience maker activities designed and implemented by teachers and their students at the Kennedy-Longfellow Elementary School, with consulting support from Lesley University. While the specific work of a makerspace is hard to nail down, it’s purpose is clear. Makerspaces exist to help learners design, build, innovate, and create with technologies, from duct tape and cardboard to littleBits and Scratch. The makerspace provides an exciting learning environment to engage in authentic problem-solving activities related to science, engineering, art, and mathematics. These maker activities speak to the very essence of critical thinking and ways of knowing needed to advance 21st century competencies. In this workshop, we will set up a series of makerspace centers for participants to experience, from MakeyMakey orchestras to designing your own robots. All activities are aligned to the common core and Next Generation standards, and more importantly, are kid approved.

Learning Outcomes will include:
(1) No more “deer in the headlights” stress about facilitating maker activities for students; with this experience, these tensions give way to confidence.
(2) More than just a “Show Me”, participants will experience highly interactive and authentic learning opportunities through an array of hands-on student-centered STEAM activities and resources used to build new literacies and communication skills.
(3) Participants will learn that constructivist maker experiences are not an add-on and can be aligned to their curriculum and support common core standards.