Makerspaces are the modern, future-ready library's evolution of the library's purpose; "to define a school makerspace by its purpose and simplest of terms, it is a place where young people have an opportunity to explore their own interests; learn to use tools and materials, both physical and virtual; and develop creative projects" (Fleming, 2015). The makerspace movement is much like the idea of teaching a man to fish as opposed to just giving him the fish. The skills that are encouraged and developed within the Makerspace are skills that will serve our patrons well in the future, as makerspaces foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration.In several posts on Robert Pronovost's blog, attempts on using tech effectively in education, [his last post was in 2016, but the posts are still valid] he chronicles the establishment of a space (this post would certainly help a librarian as they embark on the creation of their physical makerspace). In his blog post on makerspace tools, he references a number of toys worth exploring, including Squishy Circuits. Squishy Circuits kits combine a clay and conducting wires for endless possibilities for makers to design, create, innovate, and engineer.
Squishy Circuits would be an excellent toy for a school library for a number of reasons. The tactile stimulation that many kids get from molding clay, the incorporation of artistic elements, and because it combines a number of different elements (much like cardboard and coding), when students are working in groups, highlighting different strengths. From the design and implementation to the production, working with Squishy Circuits mirrors the real-life work scenarios our young charges will encounter in the future. Students using Squishy Circuits can also realize that coding and programming is not only about screens and keyboards, but about the creative process and working together - those future ready skills that Makerspaces, and modern libraries, are striving to develop.
Fleming, L. (2015). Worlds of making: Best practices for establishing a makerspace at your school. United States: Corwin.
What a great concept! When I’m doing a read aloud, I will sometimes have my students sculpt scenes from the story. As you stated, students love and benefit from the tactile interaction with the clay. I love the idea of using it as a medium for a circuit. Thanks for introducing!
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea. I think it would be a great way to to ease students who feel uncomfortable with computers or programing. It also has that fun element of being able to bring something they created to "life". It also is something pretty easy to incorporate into a library that would be easy enough for students of all ages to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comment about how squishy circuits show students that here is more to coding than screens and keyboards. I think students who are not enticed by keyboards and screens do not see themselves enjoying coding- I always have trouble getting these students to participate in events like Hour of Code. The squishy circuits add a tactile element and 3D element to coding for reluctant students. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love how you tied in the fact that makerspaces are fun, but they are not just for fun. They enable students to practice future ready skills with collaboration, communication, and creativity. This is something educators and librarians need to remember when designing makerspaces for students.
ReplyDeleteSquishy circuits is a great way to reach different styles of learning as you mentioned in your post. I priced the circuits, and you can order a group kit with 25 circuits for $233. That might be too expensive to purchase enough kits for every child but a way around that would be to start a coding club in the library. The circuits could be one of the many ways to teach kids about coding. Great idea!
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