January 11th, 2017

About the Author: Catherine is an elementary teacher in the Niagara Region of Ontario. She has been a classroom educator for 25 years and has just discovered the wonders of makerspaces.

My journey into maker space began last January. I had heard about it, but never really understood what it meant. Last September I was introduced to a wonderful maker teacher and parent Trish Roffey. She often talked about maker space and how great it was. In January last year we worked together on a course project, along with Janelle. That project is the website you see today. At first I was skeptical of maker spaces: Who has the time? Who has the money? How do you do a maker space when you have curriculum to cover and provincial tests to prepare for. Over the past several months I have come to realize that maker space is not necessarily what you do in addition to the curriculum but rather an awesome way to deliver your curriculum. You can incorporate maker activities into every aspect of school life. 
Kids eagerly engage in the activities and actually direct their own learning. (I have to say I was skeptical of this because; come on kids can direct their own learning they will sit and do nothing. Guess what? I was wrong).
Learning in the classroom comes to life when kids are up out of their chairs and actively engaged in activities and learning becomes fun; an adventure, a creative outlet, something they invest in and want to do. 
My best advice is start where you are. Take a spin through the website. Find an activity that you can easily incorporate into your classes and run with it. For me the best place to start was with digital storytelling and stop motion animation. It required little in the way of capital expenses and kids new a bit about it already. You will be amazed at what even your most unmotivated student will create.
So join me as I continue my maker journey.
Catherine (maker newbie)