When you picture a normal middle school, you probably envision kids in rows of desks listening to a teacher drone on and on at the front of the room. But a makerspace is no typical classroom. The concept lets kids master concepts using whatever tools make the most sense for them. While some philosophies come and go, some educators say the makerspace trend is part of a culture – not a buzzword – and teachers say their students can prove it.
At the end of the school year, kids at South Middle School in Harrisburg attack a multi-colored roller coaster they fashioned out of K’Nex pieces. For those more versed in toys of past decade, K’Nex are something like Legos crossed with an erector set.
Sixth-grader Logan Hammer says he doesn’t like dismantling the makerspace.
“It’s a place where kids can go and free their imagination. They can build whatever they want. They can have…
