What appears to be the end may really just be a new beginning!

In preparation for the fourth (and final) F2F session on Friday, I sit here and ask myself, where did the time go? It feels like it was just a short time ago we were all meeting for the first time at the first F2F session. Although time seems to have fast forwarded at a rapid speed, the amount of knowledge I have gained is so plentiful that it seems that there is no possible way I gained it in one school year.

When I was told that I had the green light, and that I was able to attend Cohort 21 on behalf of HSC, I was filled with emotions. I was excited (obviously!), anxious and a little bit intimidated. I was throwing myself out into a huge sea of educators, most of whom have much more experience than I. All of those emotions (except for the excitement) quickly dissipated as soon as I entered the room at the first F2F. The minute I entered the library at Bayview Glen, I knew that I had made the right decision. It didn’t matter that my experience as a CIS educator was less than my peers, all that mattered was there was a collective group of like-minded individuals who were ready to learn…and I was in!

The past 6 months I have grown as an individual and as an educator. I firmly believe that as educators, we need to consistently challenge ourselves in order to better our students. We too, are lifelong learners.

Que my #actionplan !

I began this journey knowing close to nothing about the ‘Maker Movement’. I had heard the words MakerSpace in conversation, but had no real grasp of the possibilities it held. It was after conversations with @shelleythomas, @crussell, @ddoucet, @timrollwagen and @gnichols that I really started to feel the need to explore further, more importantly exploring how and why I should bring it back to my school. It is my hope that I can help fuel and support the ‘maker mindset’ in children as young as Kindergarten. A day does not pass without me being amazed at what my little students are capable of. They are natural inventors and creators. What looks like an old box is quickly transformed into a spaceship. It is this curiosity and passion that constantly excites me.

At this point, I have had some great conversation with colleagues at my school.

Areas of focus are as follows:

• Budget
• Physical space: What is it going to look like? Where the space will be located?What furniture will be needed to outfit the space?
• Materials: LittleBits, MakeyMakey, Lego, BeeBot, Dash & Dot Robot
• Timetable: What will the availability of the space look like? Will the space be bookable? Will there be designated time slots?
• PD: How will we get other teachers on board?

What I am still working towards is connecting the idea of a ‘MakerSpace’ with our school values and beliefs. Having an area designated to creating/designing/exploring is wonderful, however, it is important that others see why this way of thinking is so vital to our students. I see having this space as a place where students can take risks, collaborate, fail, create and grow. In order for the space to be used to its full potential, it is imperative that colleagues and students understand WHY such a space should exist.

Thank you to @gnichols for suggesting this article http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1099&context=jpeer, it is a great read and a perfect place to start.

The wheels are officially in motion.

I look forward to continuing on this journey…