What are makerspaces?

Makerspaces are collaborative workspaces inside a school, library, or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring, and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools.

What a makerspace is?
  • A place for hands-on and exploratory activities
  • A place for youth to have fun
  • Activities are often based on student interests
  • Provides opportunities for experimentation (and possible failure)
  • A change in the way we think and teach
What a makerspace isn't?
  • Just a space for playtime and "busy" work
  • A for limiting and non-creative activities
  • Too structured
  • About buying “cool stuff”
  • End designs that all look the same (not a cookie-cutter approach)
Making is about:

Makerspaces come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, and are applicable across all grade levels and disciplines. But what you should see happening in a makerspace is the same in every space:

 

 

Making can be...

One of the goals of any makerspace should be to instill the maker mindset in students through a series of creative experiences while simultaneously building 21st-century skills.

Description of making activities

Local makerspace projects

As part of our strategic plan, the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub is funding the development of makerspaces in the community. Our first project is at the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam and will be completed in January of 2021.

Interested in starting your own Makerspace?

Our Makerspace Coordinator, Forrest Johnson, has put together a how-to guide for launching a makerspace. It has all the information you need to get your makerspace up and running.

"A Brief Guide to Starting A Makerspace" can be found here.