Dive Brief:
- A panel discussion at the recent International Society for Technology in Education conference in Chicago focused on how to build a makerspace without pricey equipment, as well as how to entice an array of diverse students to making.
- Teachers shared ideas for schools with limited funds, including how to use materials from nature and trash, and building all prototypes with cardboard. One creative suggestion involved giving students broken animatronic toys to take apart as way of learning about common components in electronic products. Approaching local businesses and civic associations for donations of materials is another route.
- One hurdle besides cost is convincing school board members, often focused on raising test scores in urban and rural schools, of the value of makerspaces. Bringing students to board meetings, with their projects, to…
