Makerspaces for Elementary Schools

All you need are a few bricks to make your own LEGO marble run. Hours of fun with a DIY marble run for kids. Even add in a marble run challenge or two!

When you start a makerspace and begin letting students build things that move, light up, and generally do cool things, eventually something will go wrong. Of course, because Murphy’s Law of Education is always in effect, that’s usually when an administrator walks in. When that happens, you just have to smile and ask students, “Now ... Read More about Makerspace Mishaps: Fixing and Replacing Broken Parts

Makers. Do something. It’s no secret that makerspaces, at least in the United States, are dominated by white people, usually men. Even in the professional makerspace that I frequent, whose owners focus on inclusion and diversity, there are rarely any people of color using the equipment. Maker events such as Maker Faire are more of… Continue reading Black Lives Matter and Inclusion in Makerspace

“What Worked Wednesday” is a blog post series about ideas that I have personally tried in my library and/or instruction. Each post includes an idea that worked in my school library and how it makes my life less stressful, more organized, and/or more manageable. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase ... Read More about What Worked Wednesday: Sugru + littleBits

I am so excited to have stumbled upon some AMAZING picture books for my elementary Makerspace over the past couple years! There is nothing quite like kicking off Makerspace time or a STEM challenge with a captivating read aloud to encourage our students to make meaningful connections with text and inspire them to play, explore, invent, and create. (Read more about my classroom Makerspace HERE.) I'm always on the lookout for new titles to add to our Makerspace library! Here are the common…

Animal Shadow Drawing - Emma Owl

Makerspace resources and maker educators to follow for your elementary school library, public children's library, elementary school STEM lab, or classroom

MAKERSPACES ... I tried to ignore them! I tried to deny their growing momentum. I skipped over articles and blogposts where makerspaces wer...

Easy Matisse Art Project for Kids - A Henri Matisse art idea for kids of all ages with inspiration shape templates to inspire, draw or cut out.

You don't want to miss these creative Story Stones Ideas for kids! They're perfect for storytelling and sequencing story events.

When you start a makerspace and begin letting students build things that move, light up, and generally do cool things, eventually something will go wrong. Of course, because Murphy’s Law of Education is always in effect, that’s usually when an administrator walks in. When that happens, you just have to smile and ask students, “Now ... Read More about Makerspace Mishaps: Fixing and Replacing Broken Parts

This is one of the coolest art we've ever created.

This Three BIlly Goats Gruff Storybook STEM project is a perfect way to teach young kids engineering. Can you build a strong popsicle stick bridge?

Makerspace resources and maker educators to follow for your elementary school library, public children's library, elementary school STEM lab, or classroom

Y'all. I mean, origami is like a classic thing kids so when they are bored, right? I was super excited to use it as one of my passive programs, but man origami paper is EXPENSIVE! I know the old trick of chopping the edge off a piece of copy paper to make it square,…

Shadow drawing with animal figures