Makers be Making: The Wonders of Makerspaces

 

 

Moorefield-Lang and Coker express that a makerspace is a “unique and intentional opportunity for creative, self-directed learning which supports tinkering, allows for failure as part of the process, and encourages students to work together” (2019, p.371). Makerspaces align with standards and content, when needed, and align with engagement and fun. These environments are open to the possibility of new discoveries, friendships, and collaboration along with “a focus on people: building up the capacity of people to do more within a collaborative, warm, and

welcoming culture” (Fontichiaro 2019, p. 51). As a future librarian, it is up to me to make sure I am challenging my students and giving them the safe space to think out loud. Therefore, a perfect tool to use is a 3D printer. 

Lamand explains that, “3D printing can be one of the most memorable experiences they’ll have in school. There’s something truly exciting and rewarding about discovering something that needs fixing or improving, finding the design for creating it, uploading the specs, and watching as the part or piece is brought to life in three dimensions” (2021). 3D printers allow students to have more freedom to design their own activities, observe their results, and it allows the teacher to get an idea on how well they are learning certain skills. This device allows students to think critically and problem solve in a fun and engaging way. Lamand (2021) states several examples in which 3D printers can be used: 

• Biology: students can print replicas of different animals and place them in their corresponding ecosystems.
• Math: students can print a stable device for rolling projectiles to measure their velocity and acceleration.
• Media: students can print props to be the focal points or background visuals in videos.
• English: students can print objects for use in various ways and then spend some time journaling about the printing journey and how they overcame challenges.

But, how are they used in a library’s makerspace? Lamand (2021) expresses that 3D printing used in a makerspace not only gives them a different environment than the usual classroom environment, but it shows them that they can work on their thinking, collaboration, problem solving skills, and designing outside of the traditional setting. 

Please jump over to this link to read more about how you can use 3D printers in your makerspace. Lamand also suggests cheaper models that are still beneficial: https://www.eduporium.com/blog/eduporium-weekly-integrating-3d-printing-in-education/ 

References

Fontichiaro, K. (2019). What i’ve learned from 7 years of the maker movement in schools and libraries. Library Makerspace. https://learn-us-east-1-prod-fleet02-xythos.content.blackboardcdn.com/5dd6acf5e22a7/22827908?X-Blackboard-S3-Bucket=learn-us-east-1-prod-fleet01-xythos&X-Blackboard-Expiration=1679875200000&X-Blackboard-Signature=3bVUKXZ9bYAXjBF7Ujsrh87E2erD2Yz7jCI4hiKtmH4 

Larmand, A. (2021). Eduporium weekly | Integrating 3D printing in education. Eduporium. https://www.eduporium.com/blog/eduporium-weekly-integrating-3d-printing-in-education/ 

Moorefield-Lang, H., & Coker, M. (2019). How to make a maker librarian. https://learn-us-east-1-prod-fleet02-xythos.content.blackboardcdn.com/5dd6acf5e22a7/48079472?X-Blackboard-S3-Bucket=learn-us-east-1-prod-fleet01-xythos&X-Blackboard-Expiration=1679875200000&X-Blackboard-Signature=5DS6gX5fkSfsx7l6bMhjEhEv9khEw98Yr7B4BPL90gE