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Goal

My goal is to expand our Media Center Makerspaces. A Makerspace is a station or center where students can tinker, create, problem solve, and develop critical thinking skills as they interact with various building materials, art supplies, critical thinking games, and technology. 

What will be done with my students

Students who visit the media center can spend time at stations designated as "Makerspaces". Each space houses a variety of supplies and building materials that encourage creativity and critical thinking. The activities are focused on STEAM, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). As the media specialist, I facilitate activities and guide students as needed. This year I would like to expand a couple existing spaces and add some new creative and engineering spaces.
Last year I introduced a Lego table and Lego wall. Both were a big hit but with two Lego stations I'd like to add another set of Legos.
Our technology station incorporates interactive technology by pairing an iPad with an Osmo educational gaming system. This year, Osmo has added two new coding games, Coding Awbie and Coding Jam. Both games teach coding in fun creative ways and would be a great addition to our Techie Makerspace.
For the new spaces, I researched award winning Makerspace favorites and chose the ones that would best suit the needs of our K-2 students. Magformers is an innovative magnetic building set. With the magic of magnets students can create amazing 2-D and 3D figures.
Brain Flakes and Plus Plus are both interlocking construction sets that are an alternative to building blocks. Students can mix colors and patterns to create beautiful 2 dimensional mosaics or snap them together for imaginative 3-d figures. All of these sets and materials would be great additions to our Media Center Makerspaces.
 

Benefits to my students

As educators, we are always seeking ways to get students excited about learning while meeting their individual needs. Although students learn best by doing, the classroom is often limited by the lack of space and time for many types of hands-on activities. Media Center Makerspaces provide a venue for student-led hands-on learning. It's a place where students have creative freedom and can participate in problem solving activities. Students develop critical thinking skills while increasing their interest in STEAM. Makerspaces also provide students a place to unwind and work off stress and develop social skills. 

Budget Narrative

Included in my budget are materials to extend and enhance our Media Center Makerspaces with new technology, engineering, and art spaces. 

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