Makers on the Move: Empowering Learning through Mini and Mobile Makerspaces

Outline

Introduction (15 minutes):
A brief overview of what mini and mobile makerspaces are.
Highlight the importance of accessibility for schools with limited resources.
Discuss the implementation of makerspaces in K-16 areas.
Teacher Education
Outreach Projects
STEM Nights
BRIDGE Program
Summer Camps
After School
Classroom Implementation

Hands-on Exploration (25 minutes):
Participants will work in small groups to design and create a STEM-based product using the mini-maker spaces.
Focus on how to encourage creativity and problem-solving in any environment and how to adapt projects to different student levels.

Integration into Curriculum (10 minutes):
Discuss strategies for implementing makerspaces into diverse subjects like science, math, and art.
Explore the role of STEM PBL and how to make lessons meaningful in small periods of time.
Address assessment methods and how to track student engagement and learning.

Q&A (10 minutes):
Open the floor for questions and sharing experiences from participants.
Discuss potential challenges and solutions for setting up mobile makerspaces.

Supporting research

Dousay, T. A. (2017). Defining and Differentiating the Makerspace. Educational Technology, 57(2), 69–74.

Rouse, R., & Rouse, A. G. (2022). Taking the maker movement to school: A systematic review of preK-12 school-based makerspace research. Educational Research Review, 35, 100413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100413