What’s the best way to define a makerspace? For Laura Fleming, library media specialist at New Milford High School in New Jersey, a library makerspace is a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play and open-ended exploration for all.
Fleming, who also runs and manages her own business, Worlds of Making, says too often schools build library makerspaces just for the top engineering students or the gifted and talented students.
“When makerspaces really work, they are open to the entire student body,” she says. “It’s really a mindset and a philosophy of education.”
Fleming says whether the district sets up a makerspace in an elementary school library, in a middle school classroom or in a high school cafeteria, each makerspace has a unique quality.
“Here in New Milford, we set aside a part of the library for our makerspace,” Fleming explains. “But much…
