Beyond the Box - Think, Make, ImproveTwo years in the life of the Pacific MakerSpace movement

What is a Makerspace?A hands-on, student directed learning experience that fosters innovative thinking by challenging students to

develop a concept

create a plan for project development

solve problems that arise in making a prototype

collaborate to improve their plan

accomplish their goal of building that project.

venting.

Why is Makerspace Important?Fosters an innovative, creative thought in learning.  

Develops perseverance through experiencing failure as the start not the end

Should go beyond STEAM - writing componants, reflections

Encourages a growth mind set as students productively struggle in the search for answersDevelops complex problem solving skills

Encourages a collaborative culture

Where did this idea come from?Changes in teaching coming from NGSS

Addition of Engineering standards

Addition of constructivist ideas

Timeline of Vision for NGSS Implementation:

2013 - 2014 • Implement Makerspace

outside of classroom. • Expose teachers, teach

students

2014 - 2015 • Build outside Makespace

program • Train Science Specialists • Implement Makerspace /

NGSS ideas in Science Lab • One Makerspace project per

grade level

2015 - 2016 • Full implementation in Science

Lab • Train Classroom teachers in

NGSS • Build cross-curricular

connections

2016 - 2017 Full implemetnation of INGSS through innovation Stations

Planning for ImplementationProposal to Superintendent - approved

Proposal to PTA board - funding grant provided

Researched other programs

Decided to build from the ground up.

Year One Timeline

August: Found idea,

September: Superintendent

PTA Board Parent Partner

Sept. - Nov. Researched

Other programs

Dec. - Jan.: • Expanded

Partner group

• Built launch project

February: Launched 4th grade

March: Launched 3rd grade

April: Launched 2nd grade Added 5th

grade

May: Debrief

Develop your non-negotiables first!

Learn by investigating, doing, trying

core learning concept behind each project - academic and emotional

Encourage a growth mind set

Encourage collaboration and peer to peer learning

FinancingSmall grant from PTA for 1st year

Demographics:

670 students

1% EL

1% free and reduced lunch

no state money directly to school

Finding a passionate adult group

Parents, teachers, community members, Rotary, local businesses

People that are willing to go the distance

People who match your vision

2. Do the Research

What is a MakerSpace

Read Invent to Learn by Sylvia Libow Martinez and Gary Stager

Read Makerspace Playbook, School Edition

Visit MBUSD Maker sites

Curriculum PlanningProjects must be

open ended

opportunities for innovation

process not product

tied to an educational concept or useful purpose(not arts and crafts)

Resources:

PBS Design Squad Nation

Pacific School Makersite

Immediate ChallengesSupplies on a budget:

Trash for Teachers

The actual trash

Donations from families

99 Cent Store / Dollar Tree

Space:

Shared with Orchestra

Storage

Daily clean up

February - April 2014- Launch!

Started with one grade only - fourth

15 students per group

Application process (over 100 applied)

students chosen at random for four week sessions

One simple project - bristle bots

Repeated same process for 3rd and 2nd grades.

March - April 2014:Kept projects simple - Cane’s Arcade

Kept tools low tech

Challenges were added to bot unit allowing for choice

marble runs

quilting

robotics

May 2014- DebriefIdentified Challenges:

Space - shared space was a challenge

Adult training - docents for supervision

Sustainability financially

Scaffolding - emotional response to failure

Timeline for Year 2

September: Relaunch in

3rd - 5th grades.

November: • Launched

2nd grade • First grade

transportation project

May: Science

Lab maker unit

October: Genius hour

launches in 3rd and 5th grade

January: Added after

school workshops

February: Other district

schools launch

August: • Built out

new space • Applied for

grants

New Funding

$5000 from PTA from targeted giving to develop space

$7500 Rotary Grant for instructional support

Two year $20,000 grant from Chevron

$10,000 for 3-D printers

$10,000 to expand space

August 2014: a new beginning

Computer lab was made available (Space)

Recruited “docents” (adult training)

Applied for grants (sustainability)

Monthly focuses (scaffolding)

September 2014:Relaunch3rd - 5th grades - launched in early September

Added 2nd grade in November

Monthly focus

weekly challenges

independent projects

Focus by Month:October 2014:Take aparts - keyboards

November 2014: Cars and methods of motorizing

December 2014: Circuits

January 2015: Creatures: adaptations and biomes

February 2015:Paper structures: reinforcement

March 2015: rockets and aerodynamics

April 2015: Little Bits robotics

Adding on: WorkshopsAfter school

One focus with multiple projects

Pulling from staff expertise

January: Make Your Own Webpage (coding)

February: Stop-Motion Animation

March: Sewing

April: Disney X-Prize Challenge

Accolades and Opportunities

Ted X Manhattan Beach

Chevron Sponsorship

Rotary Sponsorship

Positive Press from local papers

Science Night

Collaborating with MBMS Fab Lab and MCHS Robotics

Making our way into classrooms

First grade transportation unit.

5th and 3rd grade Genius Hour

Second grade map-building to connect to their geography unit

Science Lab specialists building units around Next Generation Science standards incorporating design challenges

Challenges from Year 2Grew very quickly (district and site) - lost focus on our vision

Divide between those who wanted wide open and those who wanted clear education connections

Innovation and creativity at odds sometimes

could devolve into arts and crafts

Design Process workshop showed struggles

Measuring success

Funding and ongoing sustainability

Still limited use in classrooms

Changes for next yearDesign process as part of the curriculum (vision and curriculum connection)

Problem-based projects (vision and curriculum connection)

More open lab time (vision)

Teacher professional development through Science Specialists (classroom expansion)

Expanding use beyond STEM (curriculum connection)

Adding reflective cycle componants (measurement)

How we can help youWebsite

Twitter: @kimberlie94 and @PacPanther

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pacificspanthers?ref=bookmarks

Email: klinz@mbusd.org