KBLOG 48: A Classroom/Home STEM Makerspace for Students that Does Not Cost a Lot

The Challenge:

Yan Krukau

A makerspace is a collaborative workspace inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools.

 A makerspace is a special place where young people can express their STEM curiosity, creativity and inventive spirit. It can be in a space as big as a classroom or bedroom, or as small as a corner of a room or a small box. There are many makerspaces that are loaded with expensive tech equipment, elaborate furnishings, 3D printers, fabrication equipment, computer networks, machining tools to name a few. The start up and maintenance costs for a sophisticated makerspace are high. The challenge is where do you start? If you want to have a makerspace at your school or in your home and you want to start small and you have limited funding or experience directing a maker space.

A Solution:

II absolutely love and I am excited about the idea of building a “home-made” inexpensive makerspace as a starting point to overcome the challenges of funding and lack of technical experience for an educator. A makerspace can be a place that has everyday items, like cardboard, scissors, cups, paperclips, glue, tape, rulers, string, wire, discarded small appliances, thrift store electronics and old toys. I searched on the Internet and found websites describing how to create an inexpensive makerspace in a classroom or home. I found a site that lists invention and low-tech challenges that young people can engage in to hone their STEM and innovation skills. Your students’ inventiveness and creative skills can be developed and nourished even if you are up against cost restrictions. It is possible to create a makerspace even on a small budget and you have limited experience!

Resources:

https://www.makerspaces.com/what-is-a-makerspace/

Tips and Ideas for Creating a classroom Makerspace - https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/tips-and-ideas-for-creating-a-makerspace-in-the-classroom-us/

DIYI Mini Makerspace - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKaHAWhcMGw

Using Makerspaces in Preschool Classrooms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzZ_oHEafQU

Makerspace projects/challenges for k-8 students - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeGhoUJ4DjQ

47 Free and Cheap Makerspace Supplies - https://www.simplek12.com/tools-for-student-projects/47-free-and-cheap-makerspace-supplies/

6 Ways to Get Cheap or Free Materials for your Makerspace or STEM Lab - https://carlyandadam.com/thecarlyandadam/6-ways-to-get-cheap-or-free-materials-for-your-makerspace-or-stem-lab

10 Makerspace Starter Activities - https://www.stemminds.com/10-makerspace-starter-activities/