
Inside Ruth Freeman’s Abbot School classroom is a standing table in one corner, welcoming students to collaborate and create.
It’s called a makerspace – perhaps the hottest buzz word in education today. This school year, Freeman and her fifth-graders have been the test case for Westford Public Schools with the results featured at the April 3 School Committee meeting.
“When you look at the makerspaces, you’re going to find that there’s a lot of different definitions and really this whole idea is growing,” Freeman said.
So what’s the difference between a makerspace and every kid’s Play Doh project at the kitchen table?
“It’s a very simple concept,” said Assistant Superintendent Kerry Clery. “The difference is having organized zones with resources to provide students with opportunity.”
The makerspace inside Freeman’s…