Following from my last post, the Grade 5 students have been working on a Business Case to create a Makerspace in the Design and Technology Centre. The business case includes 2 parts – the first being, Telling the Story, and the second being, What do we need?. In the Telling the Story part, there are 3 sections: What do you want to do?; Visual part of the story; and Benefits – Why do we want to do what you proposed?. In the second part, the students need to consider the following: What do we need to buy?; Who do we need to help?; Budget – How much money do we need?; and Risks – What are possible problems we might face?.
The students have been working on this project for about 3 weeks. They are using Google Docs, Slides and Draw. This is their first exposure to GAFE. They are using it very effectively and naturally. It is definitely a case of using the tool you need when you need it. The students are so excited and engaged that they are working on it at home and also discussing the project with their parents.
Each group is going to present their business case to the class and then each class is going to vote for the one that they think will work best. Then the two groups who were voted for are going to present their business cases to the Head of the Junior School, the Director of Technology, the Head of Finance and the Head of Facilities. The real life component of this project is what is most exciting for the students.
For me, this project has reinforced the need for a makerspace in which students are able to express their creativity, explore innovative ideas and most importantly, have a voice and choice in how they are demonstrating their learning..
Here are some quotes from the students’ business cases:
What do you want to do?
“We want the space to be a place where people can create anything, literally anything. The space should inspire and drive creativity. We think that you should have as much space possible to express your imagination. Students should be able to make their ideas in a comfortable space. That’s why we decided to insert a soft carpet, colorful stools, and whiteboard walls to show and visualize ideas. We would also like everybody to have the supplies they need to build or create their thoughts, that’s why we think we should have a 3D printer for further creations. In our plan we have a presentation area for teaching and showing our ideas. Our idea is also designed for as much space as possible; to make that space we have tuck under table stools, smart shelving units and all the materials on one table.”
Why do you want to do what you have proposed?
“Students and staff can make incredible things that will improve learning and be fun for all. It will be a great way for kinesthetic learners to see how things work and what to do. Also sometimes experiencing things help get the feeling of what it’s about. The MAKERSPACE will get you learning and laughing and teach you things you’ve never thought of learning. The skills you learn here will help you for life and bring out the remarkable in all of us.”
My action plan follows from the excitement and engagement of these Grade 5 students in a real-life task that matters to them.
How do we create a mindshift within the Junior School (students, faculty, parents) around creativity, innovation, and student choice through the use of a Makerspace?