The Makerspace phenomenon is growing around the world, becoming a hot topic in the education system. The concept is gaining traction for the many benefits they provide students for their time at school and beyond. As of this year, Oakleigh Grammar is excited to announce the emergence of our very own Makerspace and Steam room, where our students can become makers, inventors, and creators.
What is a Makerspace?
A Makerspace can be any place where students can get creative, whether a classroom, library, or garden. It is not about the space, but the innovation mindset the space promotes. At Oakleigh Grammar, we are in the process of transforming one of our classes into a Makerspace, filled with iPads, robots, circuits, a green screen, cardboard, circuit boards, Lego and the possibility of a 3D printer in the future. The space will be integrated with other classes and will foster exploration and participatory learning. It will explore areas in science, technology, engineering and maths, and will allow students to collaborate with each other through hands-on experiences. Activities taking place will give students the opportunity to set goals, create and problem-solve using various tools and resources (such as 3D printers, learning to program with coding software, and how to use basic electronic tools like multimeters), aiming to generate innovative solutions and ideas. Students come to this space to explore and build, igniting creative thinking and learning on their own. Essentially it creates a space that encourages students to dream big, wonder and design.
Some of the projects undertaken in the Makerspace room can include:
- Cardboard construction
- Prototyping
- Coding and Programming
- Woodworking
- Filming and media
- Electronics
- Digital Fabrication
- Building
- Textiles and sewing
Benefits
The world is changing quickly, and we are always seeing new businesses and new technologies popping up. Your children are growing up in a fast-paced, pioneering environment where to thrive, it is essential for them to develop 21st century skills and it’s these skills that will be built on within a Makerspace.
Below is a list of benefits of a Makerspace:
- Embrace creativity, risk, and ambiguity
- Builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Opportunity to innovate and think divergently
- Allows them to develop ideas and concepts, or make changes to existing ones
- Navigate complexity
- They create and think about solutions to real world problems
- Exposes students to new opportunities, allowing them to learn something different using new tools and resources
- Develops a wide range of 21st century skills which include:
- Flexibility
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Oral and written communication
- Information literacy
- Technology literacy
- Productivity
- Social skills
- Leadership
- Initiative
The Future
The use of a Makerspace encourages students to dream, become lifelong learners and develop a growth mindset. The experiences they have in the Makerspace that will shape their futures. Particularly in a world where creativity, design and engineering are becoming even more important. A Makerspace empowers students to engage with the world in both their present and future and provides them with the opportunity to discover new interests or unforeseen career paths. By exposing students to new skills and technologies, it empowers them to seek out jobs or entrepreneurialism dependent on their own interests and changes in society.
