Best Practices for K-12 Library to Makerspace Transformations

AUSTIN, Texas - Nov. 25, 2019 - PRLog -- Are you looking to improve the academic achievement of your K-12 STEM education programs? Do you want to increase student engagement, boost test scores, and inspire more creative thinking at the same time? The solution you are looking for may be a Makerspace located in your campus library

Leading educators are turning to Makerspaces to improve learning outcomes in STEM programs.

Why? Makerspaces help encourage self-discovery, independent experimentation, and hands-on problem solving among students.

And libraries play a special role in the adoption of Makerspaces, particularly in higher education. According to a recent American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) survey, libraries are the most common host location for Makerspaces on college and university campuses.

Why libraries? There are several factors at work. First, the traditional role of libraries is in transition, with many hardcopy reference books and periodicals being removed in favor of online resources, which frees up valuable space for other uses. Second, libraries have longstanding expertise in acquiring and managing assets (including skills in budgeting, grant writing, inventory control, etc.) and sharing them equitably with their community.

Here are just a few of the many types of projects K-12 students can pursue in a Makerspace:

Design And Construction Of Useful Objects, Such As Product Prototypes

Makerspaces offer K-12 students an opportunity to create useful, aesthetic objects driven by their own unique imagination. Younger students can, for example, build 3D objects from soft, color modeling clay while advanced secondary students can tackle projects ranging from furniture design to using 3D CAD computer software and printing out 3D models.

Makerspace Learning Skills at Work:

Problem-solving, sketching, design visualization and conceptualization, sculpting, graphic design, industrial/product design, 3D scanning, 3D CAD design, 3D printing, CNC machining, woodworking, model making, plastic and metalworking.

Authoring Immersive AR/VR Games And Applications, As Well As Video Productions, Presentations, And Training Materials

Many believe that today's emerging immersive AR/VR-based game applications are laying the groundwork for tomorrow's Hollywood entertainment blockbusters — as well as raising a new standard for training applications and communications presentations throughout Corporate America. Makerspace studio spaces allow K-12 students to learn these new technologies, from young students creating new Minecraft levels to older students using professional game authoring environments, such as the Unity game engine.

Makerspace Learning Skills at Work:

Storytelling, storyboarding, scriptwriting, green screen cinematography, video and film editing, presentation communication skills, interactive AR/VR game authoring and programming.

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