Today’s focus on STEM seems irrevocably linked to the makerspace movement. Educators have seen students thrive when they experiment with tools and technology to create various objects.
Building these creative spaces can seem daunting to district leaders who face traditional curricular objectives and a list of must-have equipment. But by answering some key questions, leaders can avoid costly mistakes as they design high- and low-tech makerspaces that energize teachers and students.
“Every classroom should have access to creativity tools, including modern ways to make things,” says Sylvia Martinez, an advisor with Columbia University’s FabLearn Fellows, which guides schools in building makerspaces. “We do students a disservice if we send the message that creativity and innovation are only found in one room somewhere down the hall.”
