Educational Makerspaces
In the world of higher education, the constructivist nature of makerspaces has become central to the planning of universities like Rutgers and Stanford. These facilities are often massive undertakings that are filled with high-tech and low-tech equipment to allow different kinds of “making” to take place.
In primary and secondary education (K-12), makerspaces have often been designed around the idea of “creativity spaces” for students to explore different, self-directed forms of learning.
In primary and secondary education (K-12), makerspaces have often been designed around the idea of “creativity spaces” for students to explore different, self-directed forms of learning.
Higher Education
At Case Western University, the ThinkBox Invention Center was seen as so important that it expanded into a 7-story, 50,000 square foot facility, $35M project that is the largest open-access innovation center at any university in the world. The facility currently receives 5000 visits each month, making it the third most popular facility on campus, seconded only by the athletics center and the library. At the Georgia Tech Invention Studio, students can even apply for project funding to bring their projects to completion. The Georgia Tech makerspace grew out of an underused mailroom into a 3,000 square foot facility with $600,000 worth of prototyping equipment, like 3D printers. |
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K-12
As the push for makerspaces in schools continues to grow, more educators have decided to link makerspaces to pedagogical practices. By fostering makerspaces and honouring learners of all ages to embrace the sharing of expertise, schools provide the equal opportunities for all learners to express themselves. Encouraging them to invent and create also promote personalized learning to take place or to form in these spaces. For instance, Malden High School (go.nmc.org/enriches) has transformed a near-abandoned woodworking shop into a hub for inquiry-based arts and engineering projects at the high school that appeals to not just engineering students, but anyone who wants to create. |
The Stewart Library Makerspace – middle school
(4.5 minutes) Malden High School (2.5 minutes)
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