Schools across the country offer a makerspace for their students. But there’s a lot of room for improvement and inclusiveness. Jessica Hickey of Arizona Science Center’s CREATE Makerspace has some ideas. From EdSurge:
However, there are still barriers that we must overcome if we hope to realize the full potential of makerspaces. In too many of our schools, we see that administrators perceive makerspaces as environments for play rather than opportunities for enriching assessment that can indicate students’ readiness for the workforce. We hear claims that makerspaces are too difficult to manage and maintain, often falling on the shoulders of one committed educator or program leader. Additionally, there is the assumption that makerspaces are simply too expensive, requiring an assortment of costly tools and materials.
Many economically disadvantaged schools and communities across the country do not have access to makerspaces, fueling the assumption that these are luxuries rather than invaluable learning spaces. While this is a reality that many schools and communities face, it also presents an opportunity to engage with community-based organizations and businesses, who can serve as both resource and knowledge partners—and provide the materials, expertise and physical space to empower students to become makers.
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