The makerspace movement seems to be a front-and-center topic with many educators today. Until last year, the word makerspace was foreign to me. Recently, I was tasked with the job of incorporating a makerspace into my library starting next year. With the recent buzz of makerspaces, I'm eager to get started. I know several districts are jumping on the makerspace bandwagon and incorporating one, in one way or another, into their schools. I've heard of schools putting together mobile carts that can be pushed from classroom to classroom that have items like Legos, building blocks, dominos, popsicle sticks, etc. for students to tinker with, be creative, and build. Other schools have a room set up that offers students the opportunity to play and experiment with Sphero robotic balls and Ozobots. Some schools have incorporated the use of a 3D printer into the library. It seems that the possibilities with makerspaces are endless and, for the most part, reap positive rewards as students are developing their 21st century skill-set.
With the makerspace buzz comes push-back, too. Many teachers are reluctant to enter the makerspace realm because, like many other things in education, they see it as a fad that will soon be replaced by something else. Some teachers may not see the benefits of a makerspace and view it as a waste of time. To create an effective makerspace, a lot needs to be invested - time, money, donations, etc. Many aspects of a makerspace need to be thought through, too - finding and organizing a space, and establishing rules and expectations, just to name a few.
As an educator, what are your thoughts on makerspaces? Would you like to see a makerspace incorporated into your building in some way - maybe in your own classroom or in your school's library? If you are against makerspaces, why? What types of items do you think are important to include in a makerspace?
