This post is by Randy Scherer, the Director of High Tech High Career Pathways PBL Leadership Academy.
Ten years ago, I walked past a newsstand and out of the myriad of multicolored covers, one jumped out at me: MAKE magazine. As someone who grew up making stuff, this magazine spoke directly to me.
I bought copies and brought them to the director of my school. I remember triumphantly exclaiming, “Let’s show this to all of the teachers–think of the projects we can do!” A decade later, well-intentioned schools that create dedicated “makerspaces” worry me.
For the uninitiated, a makerspace often houses ultramodern tools like laser cutters or 3D printers, mixed with drill presses, table saws, and soldering irons, or perhaps screen printing equipment or sewing machines. I fear that stand-alone makerspaces will confine the powerful act of creation to only certain parts of the…
