Makerspaces have woven their way into K-12 schools across the country to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that may not be possible in a traditional classroom. However, there are still many more schools that do not have this creative space and even more teachers who are unsure of what a makerspace is and how it fits in their classroom. This makes not only coaching in a makerspace, but also understanding how to implement a makerspace all the more important for coaches!
Season two of the Restart Recharge Podcast for coaches launched in January 2022, and episode one kicked off with Forward Edge coach Megan Whitacre talking all things coaching in a makerspace. As someone who has personally never learned, taught, or coached in a makerspace, Megan provided some amazing ideas and very real tips to help schools embrace a maker culture and help coaches better grasp coaching in a makerspace.
In this podcast episode, Megan debunks some myths about a makerspace. Spoiler alert, it’s not a big and scary place that requires you to be a high tech coding expert before you can jump in. As Megan says, “everybody makes something!” In this episode Megan gives tips to:
- get started as a first time makerspace user
- get over the fear of jumping into a makerspace
- create a maker-mindset and culture with both teachers and students in your district
- empower teachers and students to embrace the makerspace
- practical tips to appraoch teachers and create authentic uses of the makerspace for their curriculum
Her energy is contagious and inspiring, and it will definitely make you want to go back to your admin and talk about either implementing or make better use of your makerspace. Listen wherever you listen to podcasts, or check it out below.
What advice do you have for other coaches coaching in a makerspace?
Tech To You Later!
-Katie, Ed.D.