Looking at my last post, it's been almost a month since things were hopping in the Makerspace. No one seems interested. I expressed my concern to Ms. Webb, the other Teacher Leader & Media Coordinator and she said that is normal for 4th quarter. Everyone is hitting review hard and stressing over test prep so they are not thinking "Makerspace". She said her first year as a Media Coordinator she felt the same way, but realizes it's the nature of the beast.
We did meet with Kim Marion, Director of Stem & Magnet schools for the District and Jackie Pearson, Supervisor of Media Coordinators to give feedback and information for a grant they are writing for funding for schools interested in cultivating the makerspace mentality. Some good observations came from that meeting. Here are some notes:
What have been challenges we've faced? The ordering process, getting all of the packing slips, etc, time to collaborate, building buy-in from our teachers, challenging students to working in this environment - hands-on, creatively fun, challenging kids to become leaders
It has enhanced the Media Coordinator's position. Allowing for co-teach, lead and support staff in another capacity. Student teacher have bought & brought in Makerspace ideals and practices. Strong Common core tie-in. We need to consider under-represented groups moving forward. Creating a Makerspace Committee, using a collaboration form - who's used/done what helping them to become teacher/leaders for others. Need to consider hosting a session at the CLC, (Collaborative Learning Conference Aug. 10, 11. We are! Need to look at conferences we can attend like the Scale & Stem Conference in April. We are receiving $2000. from WSFCS to spend in our Makerspace. Hurrah!
We did meet with Kim Marion, Director of Stem & Magnet schools for the District and Jackie Pearson, Supervisor of Media Coordinators to give feedback and information for a grant they are writing for funding for schools interested in cultivating the makerspace mentality. Some good observations came from that meeting. Here are some notes:
What have been challenges we've faced? The ordering process, getting all of the packing slips, etc, time to collaborate, building buy-in from our teachers, challenging students to working in this environment - hands-on, creatively fun, challenging kids to become leaders
It has enhanced the Media Coordinator's position. Allowing for co-teach, lead and support staff in another capacity. Student teacher have bought & brought in Makerspace ideals and practices. Strong Common core tie-in. We need to consider under-represented groups moving forward. Creating a Makerspace Committee, using a collaboration form - who's used/done what helping them to become teacher/leaders for others. Need to consider hosting a session at the CLC, (Collaborative Learning Conference Aug. 10, 11. We are! Need to look at conferences we can attend like the Scale & Stem Conference in April. We are receiving $2000. from WSFCS to spend in our Makerspace. Hurrah!