# data[].attributes.body
Intro to coding

# data[].attributes.body
Started kits

# data[].attributes.body
Great school starter kits

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What are littleBits

littleBits is a hands-on learning system of electronic building blocks that allows students of all ages to create with technology.

Our snap-together Bits are easy to use and simple to understand, no prior experience required.

Our STEAM solutions are gender neutral, scalable across Grades 3-12, and suitable for cross-curricular instruction.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
littleBits | Electronic Building Blocks for the 21st Century

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What are littleBits littleBits is a hands-on learning system of electronic building blocks that allows students of all ages to create with technology. Our snap-together Bits are easy to use and simple to understand, no prior experience required. Our STEAM solutions are gender neutral, scalable across Grades 3-12, and suitable for cross-curricular instruction.

# data[].attributes.body
Cardboard Architecture and Engineering

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Makedo is custom designed to make cardboard construction easy for everyone.

The perfect material for creative construction.

Cardboard is everywhere! It's in your recycling bin, protecting your fruit and veg from farm to table and helping you move house. Why, it probably found itself wrapped around your last birthday gift! Happy birthday, in case we missed it.

Cardboard has some incredible qualities that make it pretty much perfect for making stuff. In fact, no other material is as strong that can also be easily manipulated by the hand of a child. It folds (which makes it even stronger) and cuts and swivels and is seriously durable. Of course when combined with adrenaline-fuelled excitement it could get knocked to bits, but then you just need to recycle what you have used and readily find more. Simple as that.

￼Where to find good cardboard:

in your home recycling bin

at your local grocer

the hardware store

near the loading bay at most supermarkets

cardboard recycling plants

bicycle and appliance stores - ask the clerk

TIPS & TRICKS

Upgrade your skills with these 15-second tutorials and become a Master Maker in no time.

...and more to come!

Subscribe - Sign up for Tips 'n Tricks

Print freely available 3D parts to extend the capabilities of Makedo well into the future.

Makedo is a simple to use, open-ended system of tools for creative cardboard construction. Build imaginative and useful creations from upcycled (repurposed) everyday cardboard. Makedo comes to life in collaborative creative environments such as classrooms, maker spaces, museums and of course homes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
THE TOOLS Makedo is custom designed to make cardboard construction easy for everyone. CARDBOARD The perfect material for creative construction. Cardboard is everywhere! It's in your recycling bin, protecting your fruit and veg from farm to table and helping you move house. Why, it probably found itself wrapped ar

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Products Social Responsibility Where to Buy Contact Us: 1-800-267-8494 Dealer Login

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"There were more than 135 million adult makers, more than half of the total adult population in America, in 2015."

What is a makerspace? You've no doubt been hearing that word more than a few times over the past several years. Makerspaces, also called hackerspaces, hackspaces, and fablabs, are collaborative spaces where people gather to get creative with DIY projects, invent new ones, and share ideas. Since the first official makerspace convened six years ago in a library in upstate New York, libraries have remained an ideal setting for makerspace events across the country. Many offer community resources like 3D printers, software, electronics, craft and hardware supplies, and more. The idea of a communal creative space has only gained momentum and become increasingly popular over the years, and the makers' movement shows no signs of slowing down.

There were more than 135 million adult makers, more than half of the total adult population in America, in 2015. The White House even held its own inaugural Maker Faire in 2014, inspiring President Obama to declare an official National Week of Making the following year. Read on to learn more about library makerspaces and how one might benefit your community.

Articles & Blog Posts on Makerspaces

1.) Library as Makerspace
The Library as Makerspace blog, run by the Duxbury Free Library in Massachusetts, shares the experiences of its librarians in the process of transitioning from a content collection-only facility to a content creation-inspired makerspace. Bloggers share ideas for makerspace programs for children, teens, and adults, with a goal of "reimagining our role in a rapidly changing world."

2.) Renovated Learning
Curated by Diana Rendina, media specialist, teacher, and librarian at Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa, Florida, this blog documents Diana's journey of starting a STEM-based makerspace at her own school's library from the ground up. Posts include lessons and reflections on her own experience as well as resources for other makerspace hosts, including a "start here" section for beginners.

3.) The Makerspace in the Library: What it Means for Your Classroom
This recent post on a blog titled "The Unquiet Mind" explores the author's first experience attending the National Writing Project Annual Meeting in 2017; this year, the NWP panel discussed growing interest in makerspaces at libraries and their implications for teachers, library staff, and the learning process as a whole.

4.) A Librarian's Guide to OER in the Maker Space
This article, written by library media specialist and author Laura Fleming, introduces librarians and educators to the open educational resources (OER) movement, and focuses on how to integrate STEM-oriented makerspaces and other disciplines into the traditional learning space.

5.) Growing Learning Communities Through School Libraries and Makerspaces-Creating, Constructing, Collaborating, Contributing
Another informative post on "The Unquiet Mind," this article served as one of the site's first comprehensive guides to makerspaces, exploring a variety of possibilities for creating a collaborative learning environment at locations across the U.S. The post accompanies a presentation about makerspaces given by the author to the Independent School Library Exchange of Southern California.

6.) Library Friday: Visiting Fayetteville Free Library
Here on INFOSPACE, the official blog of the Syracuse University iSchool, blogger and master's candidate in library and information science Kayla Del Biondo, explores one of the country's leading university makerspaces at the Fayetteville Free Library as part of her Library Friday Series.

7.) Make it Work! Starting a Makerspace in an Academic Library, Phase 1
Among many authoritative posts on ACRLog.com, a blog site exclusively by and for academic and research librarians, this post outlines a multi-phase process for creating a makerspace at the grassroots level, addressing crucial concerns for working librarians. Hannah Pope, guest author of this article, is the Emerging Technologies Librarian at Appalachian State University.

8.) Biohackerspace, DIYbio, and Libraries
Posted on the ACRL TechConnect Blog, this article explores projects at makerspaces across the country focused on developing science, technology, and engineering programs that can essentially turn any library into a makeshift biology lab.

9.) Making It in the Academic World
This post on American Libraries focuses specifically on makerspaces at university libraries in the U.S. Author Bailey Brewer makes the case that, while makerspaces are known for bringing 3D technology to the masses, the potential for a greater sense of community among college-age participants will likely carry makerspaces into the future.

10. ) It all started with a training offered by the Washington State Libraryâ€¦
Part of the "Between the Lines" series of the Washington State Library Blog, this post describes one library manager's first encounter with STEM-based makerspace programming. Her subsequent initiatives to develop ongoing maker events, especially for children, take place at Winlock Library in Timberland, WA.

11.) 4 San Francisco Projects Highlighted During the National Week of Making
This post outlines four of San Francisco's most innovative makerspace programs, celebrated during the National Week of Making in 2016 in an event co-sponsored by the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Civic Innovation and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

12.) Makerspace Starter Kit
Noted blogger, international Ed Tech keynote speaker, and Google Certified Innovator Gwyneth Jones offers a starter kit to aspiring makerspace hosts through her site, The Daring Librarian. For inspiration, among many resources available on the site is the story of the makerspace at Murray Hill Middle School in Maryland, where Jones helped to launch a collaborative project space more than 18 years ago.

Maker Faire

Touted as the "greatest show and tell on earth," Maker Faire has emerged as the official international celebration of not only creativity, resourcefulness, and innovation but also a mass gathering of the maker movement at large. Each year, Maker Faire hosts multi-day flagship faires in Chicago, New York, and the Bay Area, as well as ongoing regional events, mini faires and school faires around the world. The organization is perhaps the most well-known makerspace networking resource, having established its own "Maker Shed" tools and products, a "Maker Camp" online community and a "Make" magazine for subscribers. The official Maker Faire site also offers aspiring Makers resources and support for bringing a Maker Faire to their local community, starting their own makerspace or becoming a sponsor of the maker movement.

Makerspaces Directories

1.) MakerDirectory.com
This online directory lists national and international maker events, from the Adelaide Mini Maker Faire to the World Maker Faire in New York City.

2.) Hackerspaces
This directory lists national and international events and offers resources specific to hackerspaces, enabling the tech-maker community to make connections both in-person and online.

3.) Maker Faire
Perhaps the most comprehensive of maker directories, Maker Faire offers an interactive map listing upcoming national and international maker faires, mini maker faires, and school faires; aspiring makers can also search past events by region on the site.

4.) Makerspace
This membership site requires registration to connect with other makers; once signed in, members are encouraged to exchange makerspace projects and ideas. The link above to the site's BETA login page is expected to be redirected to a new platform in 2017.

Revitalizing Community Spaces

"Makerspaces have also led to growth in other industries: crowdfunding sites funded more than $5 billion worth of projects in 2014, and the 3D printing industry is expected to be worth $8 billion as early as the year 2020."

One could argue that the phenomenon of makerspaces has led to a revitalization and reimagining of libraries in a digital world. As the means of circulating and accessing digital information outside of libraries continue to grow, this renaissance for the library as a place to gather, create, and collaborate has led to benefits for the host facilities just as much, if not more, than participants. Like book clubs, workshops, and other group meetings, hosting a makerspace alongside traditional offerings in a library is fast becoming the hands-on approach to learning and developing new skills. Many libraries at colleges and universities have incorporated program-specific makerspaces into their campus curriculum, bringing students together around a topic such as robotics or a particular fine art technique.

If increased support and funding for makerspaces are any indication, this trend-turned-movement is here to stay. The University of Texas in Austin is an example of a school that turned a makeshift project into a lucrative institutional endeavor by expanding its makerspace into a program called the Foundry. Hosted by the university's Fine Arts Library, the Foundry was created in 2015 through a $200,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation, which recognized the potential for cross-disciplinary research, art, and invention in a permanent makerspace on campus. Makerspaces have also led to growth in other industries: crowdfunding sites funded more than $5 billion worth of projects in 2014, and the 3D printing industry is expected to be worth $8 billion as early as the year 2020.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Librarian's Guide to Makerspaces: 16 Resources | OEDB.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"There were more than 135 million adult makers, more than half of the total adult population in America, in 2015." What is a makerspace? You've no doubt been hearing that word more than a few times over the past several years.

# data[].attributes.body
School edition

# data[].attributes.body
In 5 easy steps

# data[].attributes.headline
Get Kids Designing With ‘3D Printing Projects’

# data[].attributes.subject
Get Kids Designing With ‘3D Printing Projects’

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For the past three summers, I've been offering a summer camp for kids who want to learn 3D modeling and how to use 3D printers.

The 3D printers are hugely popular, but I've found that the kids (ages 8-12) are typically a bit let down when it comes to the quality of their 3D models. They see 3D models online - T-Rex, X-Wing fighter, sports cars, and more - and they are disappointed that their initial designs are not anywhere near the quality of the work done by professionals.

As adults, we understand that mastery requires practice, and while many of my students realize they have to put in the time to really learn the skills necessary to duplicate these types of creations... not all do. For this reason, I'm always on the lookout for resources that can help kids learn FASTER and get the results they expect.

During my camps, I use Tinkercad. It's a free online CAD tool from Autodesk that is simple enough for kids to use but powerful enough to do some truly incredible modeling. Tinkercad has a limited toolset compared to other 3D modeling tools such as Fusion 360 and AutoCAD... this keeps it from overwhelming young users but but it also makes it extremely easy to track the skills that kids are learning. If kids can grab the basics of object manipulation, merging, resizing, rotation, and more... these skills will transfer to any CAD tool they choose for advanced work.

Full disclosure - DK asked me to work with them to create a book of 3D printable projects for kids. I was happy to help, but also I wanted to make certain that while the projects were fun, the projects would push the reader to develop skills and understandings of 3D modeling concepts. I wanted projects that would help kids better grasp measurements, degrees, and three-dimensional visualization.

If you're a camp instructor or parent who is looking for something to help with learning 3D modeling, you're going to want to check out DK's new book, 3D Printing Projects.

I was the Tech Consultant for the book, so I may be a bit biased, but I believe that DK has knocked it out of the park with this book. The book is printed in full-color, with numbered steps to follow so there's no confusion about the order in which a project is made. There are 14 projects in all that follow an introduction to 3D printing and 3D printing concepts such as slicing, merging, and more.

Every project provides exact dimensions so users can recreate the exact project they see in the book. Sometimes the project will state that the user can pick the size, but a suggested size is always provided. Objects (such as cubes, pyramids, etc) are always shown in different colors to make it easier to distinguish the various items being dragged onto the desktop and merged or resized or rotated. Again, the simple step boxes are a perfect way to lead young modelers through the creation of some amazing looking designs without confusion.

I am hopeful that DK will continue to do more books like this one. Kids often struggle (as do adults) with coming up with ideas. And when they do have a good idea, they often lack the knowledge for how to translate it from their mind's eye to the screen. The 14 projects in this book will have them shrinking and growing and rotating and merging and more... and before they know it, they'll have the skills they need to make more advanced models.

3D Printing Projects is available now.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Get Kids Designing With '3D Printing Projects' - GeekDad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For the past three summers, I've been offering a summer camp for kids who want to learn 3D modeling and how to use 3D printers. The 3D printers are hugely popular, but I've found that the kids (ages 8-12) are typically a bit let down when it comes to the quality of their 3D models.

# data[].attributes.headline
3D Printing in Education: How Can 3D Printing Help Students?

# data[].attributes.subject
3D Printing in Education: How Can 3D Printing Help Students?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
3D printing is often discussed in education. Many schools, educators and education authorities are evaluating the technology for possible applications. 3D printing is often cited as a STEM tool or something that can assist teaching staff. It is early days yet, but we will evaluate some of the things you could do in education today with 3D printing.
Making STEM Fun
In STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) courses, many concepts seem very abstract to kids. Much of the work seems rote based and consists of concepts. Many teachers are therefore focused on using 3D printing and 3D prints to make STEM educational fun and more involving. Generally this could work. Kids could print things and play with them and this might be an enjoyable interesting activity. With investment in educational resources being a constrained thing generally I'm not sure however if some plastic tchotchkes will be a good investment. Whereas there are many children that have been inspired by 3D printers, I'm also not sure that this in and of itself is the best classroom investment.
Making Technology Visible
One thing that may add value, however, is in making technology visible. Many devices nowadays are chip- and processor-based and enclosed. It is difficult for anyone to really understand how your phone works. A 3D printer is a very visual thing. You can see an FDM desktop 3D printer build an object layer by layer. You can show kids a 3D file, explain how a slicer works and show them the Gcode that makes the 3D printer move. Using a printer, complex technology systems can be explained and kids will understand how common technologies interact with each other. Our world is a complex one and understanding interactions with hardware and software will benefit them. Again the business case for this will be complicated due to budget constraints.
Letting Kids Make Their Own Technology
If one goes further and lets kids make their own technology then benefits are unlocked however. Kids will learn about soldering, boards, stepper motors, firmware and electronics. They will understand how to as a team assemble a complex thing they do not understand, if you let them build a 3D printer. It will confront them with a host of new skills. This kind of learning is much more in line with what they will encounter later in life. Teamwork, persevering, acquiring new skills are the kinds of things we need to master as adults. Kids nowadays are still caught often in a rote learning, listen and absorb world where they are tested after the fact. But, challenging them to undertake something, as a team, that is true learning. Getting them to work together to make and explore technology and accomplish something is fun and challenging. Kids like to engage, question and challenge themselves. This is why building their own 3D printers is a rewarding thing for them. What's more the device can then 3D print all manner of learning tools cost effectively.

Does getting children to build their own 3D printer kit sound impossible? Dutch educator Manuela van der Bos of 3DABC has been building 3D printers will children aged 8-12 for a number of years now. She has demonstrated success in over the course of a few weeks building functioning 3D printers with kids. This kind of immersive challenging experience is just what kids are looking for. At the same time they are not spoon fed technology but are making it, creating with it and gain a deep understanding of it.
Introduce Creativity in STEM
STEM - and STEAM, adding Art to the mix - seems to be a world of numbers and rules floating about. Loose things to be memorized and understood. It does not seem to be a very creative domain. By combining 3D printing with CAD kids can have fun designing things that they want. Simple tools such as TinkerCAD and others can get even the youngest children to make 3D printable parts. They can then explore the link between software and print, between their imagination and a machine that makes it real. This will not only be fun for them but will give them a real connection with technology. By linking their creativity to the making process of a think that they want kids can explore the entire journey from file to part.
Understanding What Mathematics and Engineering Do
If one goes further however even more value can be unlocked. Kids ask a lot of 'Why' questions when wanting to understand the world. The usefulness of mathematics in particular seems to not be explained well to them. They know it's important, after all that is repeated often to them. But, why is math important? Why is it useful? And what does it do? One of the best things ever, was when I did a workshop and a kid came up to me and said that he now understood "why there was math." By trying to calculate how large something in TinkerCAD had to be in order for it to be the right size for him once it was 3D printed, he understood what math did. He understood it as a way to get things made. Spanish was a language for Spanish people. Math was a language for anything that is not people. By seeing the link between the 200 x 200 mm grid on his screen and TinkerCAD, with the file of his part, with the slicer, with the Gcode with the printer printing his part he understood that math was the language connecting all these things. He understood that math was the "why" that made all the Coke cans come out the same size.
Making the Complex Visible
Kinesthetic learners learn by touching. For them 3D prints can be of real value in letting them learn. Generally however we can all benefit from objects that can make complex concepts visible. If we look in history lessons for example a lot of battles or conquests can be explained, in part, by geography. Kids however usually only have line drawn maps to explain this to them. By using Mcor color 3D printing you can make an inexpensive depth map of a battle or region. This can help kids touch and see height differences and understand the lay of the land through their fingertips. Durable and only costing $1 or so these small depth maps could make history far more comprehensible.

Things like gearboxes, combustion engines and transmissions power our world. They are however hardly understood.

This example of a 3D printed Totoya transmission can make the object visible. What's more, kids can see it move up close. Complex engineering parts and processes can become easy to understand if they are right in front of you. They can be taken apart and put back together or designed so that they are cutaways. Atoms can be printed to scale so they can be compared to other particles. The surface of the moon or paintings can become tactile. Through in-class projects kids can themselves build their own Stirling engines for example. This level of involvement and engineering through play will be of much use to them in later years. A lot of educational reform seems intent on making learning fun through artifice. By giving kids tools such as 3D printing they will in a visual and tactile way experience what it is like to make something. This is a rewarding activity which needs concentration, focus and diligence. It won't be fun in the same way an iPhone game, drip feeding your brain accomplishment, will be. It will however be a rewarding hands-on experience that will give kids new appreciation for how things are made and how things work.
Teaching Kids to Fail
The best thing 3D printing can do for students however is to teach them to fail. In a standard classroom you listen as you are given information. Then at the end of the week you are tested on that information. You pass or fail or get a grade. There is no feedback, usually, on what areas you need work in or how you can improve. Instead it's all about "try harder" and "work harder" and "do better next time." It's like we're programming kids to be Sisyphus slogging up the hill. That's fine if you want to prepare them for life inside a coal mine, but knowledge work is where they may find future employment. Meanwhile many children develop anxiety for the tests themselves and worry intensely about passing or failing. They look for approval in the form of a grade and often work hard to appease or do well for others. In adulthood however it is about doing well for yourself. At the office you're going to get one evaluation a year but if you wait for that to give you the emotional payoff you need or expect to guide you, you're going to have a bad time. Kids are precocious but adults are expected to be self-reliant, self-starters, intrinsically motivated, resilient and capable problem solvers. In the current educational system one is supposed to start and finish acquiring those skills amidst the Solo cups and beer pong of college campuses. What if we start earlier by letting kids learn by themselves how to do these things?

When working with kids or even post-graduate young designers I'm often taken aback just how afraid they are of failing, just how much they seek approval or guidance. Young children play and do their own thing creatively. But, it seems that this get stamped out of most of us along the way. Many are frozen by the prospect of failing. This worries me especially since I work in 3D printing. Our technology is a perfect tool for failure.
Fail Harder
We can prototype, iterate, design and fail all day every day. 3D printing lets you fail harder and faster. You can experiment more and seek out the limits of something more with 3D printing. When I work on designing or making things I try to fail as hard as I can. This is a key skill. It is the central advantage of 3D printing. If students could learn to acquire the art of failure then they would able to design better things, design better lives for themselves. Through designing and making in the classroom students will learn how to fail. Learn how to plug away at a problem. Acquire new skills. Learn how to motivate themselves and learn how to, as a team, complete complex tasks with many unknowns.

It is by mastering failure and overcoming that 3D printing unlocks the most value for students themselves. Iterating and improving, learning not to worry but rather learning to improve. I once interviewed Scott Crump, the founder of Stratasys and co-inventor of Fused Deposition Modeling, and asked him what he'd learned along the way. "Fall on your face and get up." That was the key thing he mentioned. Whether we look at inventing things, innovating, entrepreneurship, self-improvement or just making your life better that is indeed a wise thing to consider. I think that this is the key benefit that 3D printing can give students, the ability to teach them to, "Fall on your face and get up." Discuss in the 3D Printing in the Classroom forum at 3DPB.com.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
3D Printing in Education: How Can 3D Printing Help Students?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
3D printing is often discussed in education. Many schools, educators and education authorities are evaluating the technology for possible applications. 3D printing is often cited as a STEM tool or something that can assist teaching staff. It is early days yet, but we will evaluate some of the things you could do in education today with 3D printing.

# data[].attributes.headline
7 Incredible Lego Technic Toys for STEM Learning Fun

# data[].attributes.subject
7 Incredible Lego Technic Toys for STEM Learning Fun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lego Technic, the advanced version of the classic colored building blocks, takes the fun to another level - and kicks the learning up a gear or two! Budding engineers and technicians will marvel at the awesomely immersive construction process, where they can learn all about how the machines around us work. Revealing the secrets of engines, hydraulics, suspension, steering, and more, Lego Technic offers a truly engaging challenge to children of all ages - and adults, too!

These toys are fantastic for helping eager minds develop the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills that are so heavily in demand in the modern world. See for yourself how your kids work their way through detailed directions and get to grips with each vehicle's mechanics. Then watch as they get creative and invent machines of their own!

If your kids are more into Lego architecture or LEGO train sets, there are solutions for that as well. Check it out!

Ready to get those cogs turning? Here are 7 of the best Lego Technic toys available today!

Unleash your inner firefighter with this amazing airplane! The 2-in-1 Lego Technic Fire Plane comes with some seriously cool features. The propeller spins as you wheel it along before take-off. You can control the wing flaps and elevators with an on-board joystick. And best of all, you can open the cargo hold to drop Lego water onto raging forest fires! And that's not to mention the intricate two-cylinder engine! Feel like a change? Take it all apart and reassemble its 578 pieces into its alternate design: an amazing high-speed Jet Plane! This too features many movable parts - including a retractable cockpit, elevators, air brakes, and landing gear. Whichever model takes your fancy, get building and take to the skies!

Ages: 9-16

The ultimate Lego Technic building experience! With 2,793 individual pieces, the Lego Technic Mercedes-Benz Arocs is a genuine engineering project. In fact, for those with an interest in how things work, it may just be the greatest toy out there! The finished battery-operated toy can do everything a heavy duty truck with a hydraulic crane can - and you can learn how it all works by putting one together yourself! It has an incredibly authentic internal system, and it's a dream to play with. What's more, when you're ready for a new challenge, you can take it all apart and use the same pieces to create a fully functional Articulated Construction Truck! Tea break's over, guys - it's time to get truckin'!

Ages: 11-16

With its fully functional pull-back motor, the Lego Technic Record Breaker lets you shoot off at breakneck speeds and set new land speed records! With 125 pieces, it is one of the easier Lego Technic builds. Its sturdy design means that it can take quite a bashing without falling apart - but if it does, you can always put it back together again! Although there is only one design with this model, it can also be combined, Transformers-style, with the other pull-back motor model, the Lego Technic Quad Bike, to create the even pacier Extreme Off-Roader!

Ages: 7-14

Chill out with this cool construction set! The 913-piece Lego Technic Arctic Truck comes loaded with authentic features, like its fully functional crawler tracks, incredible suspension system, and hand-operated crane and cargo. However, the crane can be powered if you incorporate this Power Function Motor Set. The alternate design option is a Quad Track Pickup Truck with attached trailer and satellite link-up device. All in all, it's an awesome piece of equipment for icy conditions!

Ages: 10-16

Get ready for the ride of your life! The 2-in-1 Lego Technic Street Motorcycle is the epitome of stylish construction. Its sleek and curvaceous three-tone design oozes class, and its mechanics are spectacular. Remove the side panel to see the inner workings of a motorbike's engine and reveal how it gets the machine moving. With realistic steering, a movable kickstand, and awesome front and rear suspension, the Street Motorcycle model is a joy to construct - and to play with! The 375 individual pieces can also be used to create the alternate design: an amazing Retro Bike. Just choose your style, follow the clear instructions, and you're all set to hit the road!

Age: 9-16

Another technical marvel, the Lego Technic Heavy Lift Helicopter comes with multiple battery-powered functions. These include contra-rotating rotors, opening cargo bay doors, and a fully functional winch. Its design is not only stylish but sturdy, too. In other words, you can swing it through the air without fear of it falling apart! Its 1,042 individual elements present an immersive and rewarding building challenge that lets you learn all about the inner workings of real life helicopters. And when you're ready to roll your sleeves up again, you can check out the alternate design option: the stunning and fully functional Tandem Rotor Helicopter. Honestly, with this outstanding tech toy, the sky's the limit!

Ages: 10-16

The Lego Technic Display Team Jet is an awesome 2-in-1 toy at an affordable price. It comes with 113 pieces and instructions for how to arrange them into two different models: a display team jet and a stunt plane. In its jet form, a retractable landing gear means that you can have an aerodynamic design in-flight, and then pop out the wheels for a smooth landing. And in its plane form, a flick of the propeller really makes it spin. Either way, it's perfect for daring air show displays!

Ages: 7-14

Did we leave out your favorite Lego Technic toy? Or have you got any tips for making your own designs? Let us know in the comments section below!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Neo_II.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Incredible Lego Technic Toys for STEM Learning Fun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lego Technic, the advanced version of the classic colored building blocks, takes the fun to another level - and kicks the learning up a gear or two! Budding engineers and technicians will marvel at the awesomely immersive construction process, where they can learn all about how the machines around us work.

# data[].attributes.headline
An Amazingly Effective Way To Help Your Child Master Math Skills With LEGO Blocks

# data[].attributes.subject
An Amazingly Effective Way To Help Your Child Master Math Skills With LEGO Blocks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Letting your children navigate the internet on their own is like throwing them into the Wild West for them to fend for themselves. The internet can be a dangerous place for children if they are on the wrong websites.

We all want to protect our children, so knowing the websites that are safe for our kids is of utmost importance. What we also want as parents are websites that teach our children life skills and responsibility.

There are great websites, geared for children, that will engage your child and have them learning at the same time. Below are the top 21 websites for teaching children life skills and responsibility. All of the sites have been vetted and approved by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization whose mission is to "empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids' lives."

Always monitor children when they are using the internet. Parental guidance for age appropriateness is recommended when your child uses any of the websites listed below. What is appropriate for an eight year old is not always appropriate or suited for a four year old.

These 21 websites can have your kids engaged, entertained, learning, and developing new skills. Most of them are intended to engage children of various ages, so look for the content on each site that is appropriate for your child's age and ability level.

This website is loaded with games, educational activities and videos that will please both child and parent.

This site engages children in activities and videos that teach them about citizenship, different cultures, geography, global awareness, hypothesis testing, investigating, self-reflection, personal growth, empathy, respect for others, labeling feelings and more.

For example, the Webonauts Internet Academy teaches kids how to be safe online and Wild Kratts teaches kids about different habitats around the world.

There is a great deal of content on this website. Head to their site today to discover what your child could be missing out on!

This site is geared for kids ages 2-7. The main character guiding kids on an educational journey is Curious George. If your child is a fan of the books or cartoon, then you should check out this website.

There are eight key areas of learning covered on this website including math, reading, and science. This website makes learning fun with games and child appropriate online activities. It also includes hands on activities for parents to do with their child.

Activities such as crafting, cooking, and art projects with detailed instructions are provided, so that parents can interact with their children to build important life skills.

This is a news website geared for kids. The content helps them learn about the world and its happenings, in a website that is made for kids.

There are daily editions of which include new articles every day on a variety of subjects and topics. The articles are written to grab the attention of a child reader. You will find that even reluctant readers find this site entertaining.

If you have a passion for the news and keeping up with the changing world, then you can ignite this passion in your children by getting them started on the News-O-Matic website.

Some of the skills that kids can learn while utilizing this site include reading comprehension, increased vocabulary, geography recognition, critical thinking, perspective taking, reasoning, and cultural awareness.

The National Geographic Kids website teaches kids about animals, space, the natural world, dinosaurs, insects and more. They use games, videos, and online activities to connect children with learning about our natural world.

There are valuable skills reinforced in the online activities including the use of logic, memory, applying information, investigation, problem solving, and imagination.

There is a great deal of free content on this website that can be utilized without being a paid subscriber.

This website is geared for children ages 2-7. This is a learning website that covers the subjects of reading, math, social studies, science, health, writing, art, and music.

Some of the skills that are taught on this site through the website activities include following directions, letter recognition, word recognition, phonics, reading comprehension, speaking, memorization, solving puzzles, measurement, goal achievement, rhythm, and more.

This website boats that it contains a comprehensive curriculum with more than 8,500 learning activities. It is a great tool for preschoolers preparing for kindergarten.

There are also lessons and activities that are more advanced beyond kindergarten.

This is a subscription based program. It has won many awards because of its comprehensive nature and successful curriculum.

This educational website has a great deal of free content, so your child can access hundreds of activities without a subscription.

There are games and activities for kids to play while they learn at the same time. Kids will use the following skills while playing on this website: problem solving, puzzle solving, reading, vocabulary, math, and reasoning.

What makes this site unique is that there are online versions of popular kid's books including the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series.

This website is geared toward nutrition for children. It is a free website.

There are games, printable activities, recipes and tools on this site that teach children about nutrition.

The goal of the site is to help children learn to make healthy eating choices at a young age, so they can have this skill for life. The site also teaches about cooking, with many healthy recipes available free.

Arthur is a favorite cartoon character on PBS. The Arthur Family Health website is for kids to learn about resilience, fitness, peanut allergies, asthma, and more.

Health is not an easy topic to address with children, but this website does a great job by utilizing games, videos, and activities that are age appropriate and fun.

This website uses the popular PBS cartoon character Daniel Tiger. This website has games, activities, and videos geared toward younger children.

The skills that are taught on this site include expressing emotions appropriately, eating healthy, making friends, brushing teeth, dealing with disappointment and toilet training.

There are stories with a narrator for kids to listen to, simple games to play, videos to watch, and songs to engage younger children.

It is an entertaining site for younger kids and the topics teach great life skills for little ones! This is a free website.

This website is geared for children in the fourth grade and older. It is a paid subscription site. However, there are some games and videos that are available free on this site.

This website helps kids academically. There are also life skills and lessons addressed on the site. They address even the most sensitive and tough topics such as war, terrorism, sexual development, and alcoholism.

Reviewers of the site say that this website is useful for kids all the way through high school.

This website is geared toward helping young students acquire math, language arts, English and critical-thinking skills. This site is filled with games and activities to keep kids entertained while learning.

Scroll down to continue reading article

This website has a strong emphasis on math skills including addition, subtraction, counting, division, fractions, money, multiplication, ratios, and shapes.

If your child is struggling with their math skills, then this site can be of great help. Many of the games and activities are free.

This website is based on the PBS show Cyberchase. It is geared toward children who can read or are learning to read. It helps kids acquire critical thinking and reading skills.

The site is filled with free games, videos and activities that keep kids entertained, engaged, and learning. Some of the games get kids to think about real life situations to utilize their problem solving skills. Brainstorming is a another skill that is utilized on this site. It is a free website.

This website was created in partnership with educational professional. It is a site that is a great help for children completing homework. They can find facts on dozens of subjects on this site along with dictionary and atlas.

The content is more than browsing and providing information. There are games and activities to entertain kids on the site while they learn. Interesting to note, the site contains more than 30,000 short biographies!

This website is a game changer for home work time. Some of the skills that kids apply on this site include problem solving, thinking, reasoning, and self-direction.

This website gets kids thinking and learning about the world and its vast ecosystems. It is a free site that teaches kids about the earth.

Real life situations are presented in short videos. Then kids play games that touch on the subjects of animals, earth, recycling, and injustice.

Some of the skills that they can acquire on this site include cultural understanding, global awareness, reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, investigation, prediction, and thinking critically.

PBS Lab is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant requires them to research the games and their effectiveness in helping kids learn real skills. The result is a website where kids actually learn while they have fun.

This site teaches kids the skills they need to be successful in school. The website is useful for kids ages three and up. Some of the skills that kids learn on this site include math, reading, spelling, word recognition, measuring, and pattern recognition. This site is free!

This website is based on the TV program. Kids are entertained by their favorite Muppets in games, songs, podcasts, videos, and activities.

This site can be used by children ages two and up, so it is one of the best options for very young children.

Some of the skills taught on this site include empathy, labeling emotions, brushing teeth, hygiene, addition, subtraction, counting, measuring, recognizing shapes, understanding cultural differences, following directions, letter recognition, word recognition, spelling, respecting others, asking questions, problem solving, use of imagination, and making new creations.

This site has a great deal of value for parents who want their children to be learning practical life skills while they are on the internet being entertained. This website is completely free!

This educational website is geared for children ages four and up. Although this is a subscription website, there is content that users can try out before purchasing.

The website is run through a non profit organization and the price for subscription to the site is low because they want to make the content available widespread to benefit many children.

Some of the skills that kids can learn on this website are addition, subtraction, counting, division, equations, fractions, geometry, grouping, measuring, multiplication, number recognition, shape recognition, reading, letter recognition, and word recognition.

There are games, lots of songs, and activities to engage young children. The primary focus on this site is math and literacy.

This website is geared toward older children. It is a site filled with articles, podcasts, games, quizzes, and polls. There is a wealth of information on this site, which makes it useful for homework projects.

The articles are attention grabbing, which help to snag the reader and get them interested in everything from the history of specific holidays to learning how super-volcanos work.

This site touches on eleven primary categories of learning: animals, health, science, tech, automobiles, culture, home & garden, finances, lifestyle, entertainment, and adventure.

Some of the skills that kids can learn through using this site include: building, gardening, self-direction, creativity, researching, empathy, understanding different cultures, and developing novel solutions.

This website is based on the tv shows from the Nick Jr network. Young kids can learn while they interact with their favorite characters on this website. Bubble Guppies, Paw Patrol, Sunny, and dozens of other characters can be found on this site.

There are games, video, stories, and printable activities found on this website. The site is entertaining for kids and they learn a variety of skills including math and reading.

The content is geared toward preschool learning, and it is free.

This website is based on the show. The site is designed to get preschoolers excited about space and science.

The learning on this site is based on STEM curriculum (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). It comes through games, coloring pages, videos, music segments, lesson plans, and printouts from the lessons.

There are a total of 17 lesson plans that use STEM concepts. The skills that kids learn from using this site include observation, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, mathematics, decision making, hypothesis testing, and goal setting.

The science subjects taught on this site through the entertaining and engaging content include astronomy, rocket science, geology, and physics. This website is free!

This website comes from the Crayola company. It is a free website.

When kids click on the "play zone" they can find educational games and activities. The site has many free printable and coloring activities.

The following skills can be learned by kids who use this site: following directions, drawing, painting, making digital creations, use of imagination, innovation, and making new creations.

There are a great deal of DIY craft projects with detailed instructions found on this website.

Featured photo credit: Ben Mullins via unsplash.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
An Amazingly Effective Way To Help Your Child Master Math Skills With LEGO Blocks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Letting your children navigate the internet on their own is like throwing them into the Wild West for them to fend for themselves. The internet can be a dangerous place for children if they are on the wrong websites. We all want to protect our children, so knowing the websites that are safe for our kids is of utmost importance.

# data[].attributes.headline
LEGO Engineering for Kids | Build a LEGO Maze

# data[].attributes.subject
LEGO Engineering for Kids | Build a LEGO Maze

# data[].attributes.headline
Dubai's newly opened Aquila School offers enquiry-based learning

# data[].attributes.subject
Dubai's newly opened Aquila School offers enquiry-based learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Aquila School is the flagship school of International Schools Partnership (ISP) family, a global network of 31 schools across eight countries, which ensures outstanding international learning connections, quality assurance and excellent governance.

This is the first self-designed and constructed school for ISP offering world-class facilities including a large auditorium, a dance studio, purpose-built arts and design technology rooms, food lab, a large AstroTurf pitch and two heated and chilled swimming pools. At this newly opened school, educators emphasise meaningful, enquiry-based learning. This is at the fore of the Dubailand-based school's British curriculum, and its UK-trained teachers and management, many of whom have worked at outstanding-ranked UAE schools.

The Aquila School ethos is based on instilling a design-thinking mindset in its students: "A structured approach to learning, collaboration and problem-solving, which will guide the child from inquiry through to discovery to understanding and application," says Kylie Cleworth, Head of Primary at The Aquila School. "Learning will be authentic, not relying on textbooks and worksheets, to ensure maximum engagement in practical learning. Engaged learning means children are actively learning through a lesson - independently and collaborating - having maximum choice in the activities they do."

Instead, children have access to tablets, Chromebooks and interactive panels in naturally lit classrooms. For example, year four students are exploring inventions they believe could improve the UAE. Using a green screen app on their tablet, the children will design an advert that pitches their invention to investors. "We believe that when assigning a textbook or worksheet to a class of children, you're assuming that all the children are of the same ability and are able to complete the same activities," explains Cleworth.

"For some children, that puts a ceiling on their learning and expectations because they will only complete what's in front of them and won't be encouraged to do anything above and beyond." Class sizes are limited to 24, and teachers provide a personalised curriculum for every child. "If a child needs assistance with a particular topic, their teacher works with our inclusion team to set individual goals so that the child can make as much progress as possible." Teachers are readily available to see families at the start and end of the school day and are kept well informed about learning and events at school via the school app."

Children also play a part in deciding what they'll be learning about. "Teachers work with all of our children - even from FS1 - to plan topics and activities around the interests of the children," says Cleworth. When one teacher observed how excited her FS1 class was about the school bus - a novel concept for them - she decided to make buses and transport the topic they would learn about the following week.

"We are already ensuring that children love coming to school through fun and engaging learning activities and in line with the UAE's vision, the school is committed to be a happy community school that every child loves attending every day" adds Wayne Howsen, Principal of The Aquila School.

Cherie Litwiller, Regional Director of Learning at ISP, says, "With The Aquila School, we have built a school that has state-of-the-art facilities, progressive education, highly qualified teachers and leaders who will provide the best education not only in the local community but also in greater Dubai."

To learn more, visit www.theaquilaschool.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dubai's newly opened Aquila School offers enquiry-based learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Aquila School is the flagship school of International Schools Partnership (ISP) family, a global network of 31 schools across eight countries, which ensures outstanding international learning connections, quality assurance and excellent governance.

# data[].attributes.headline
BALANCING SCREEN TIME WITH GREEN TIME: Attention Retention Theory Helps Explain Why Nature Play Helps Learning

# data[].attributes.subject
BALANCING SCREEN TIME WITH GREEN TIME: Attention Retention Theory Helps Explain Why Nature Play Helps Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About the Author

Matt P. Stevenson, MSc, is a PhD student at the University of Copenhagen and upcoming postdoc with the Children's Health and Education in School and Community Settings (CHESS) research team at Steno Health Promotion Research, Copenhagen, Denmark. Theresa Schilhab, MSc, Ma, PhD, Dr.paed., is Associate Professor at Future technologies, Culture and Learning, Aarhus University, Denmark. Theresa is research manager for the Nordea-funded project Natural Technology about children experiencing nature with the use of smart technology. Peter Bentsen, MSc, PhD, is Team Leader and Senior Researcher at Steno Health Promotion Research, Capital Regional, Denmark, and Affiliated Professor in Education Outside the Classroom at University of Copenhagen. Peter is a member of the TEACHOUT project group and Project Manager of the 'Development of Udeskole' project.

Attention Restoration Theory, first developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature. Turning the theory into practice, by encouraging people to spend time outdoors in urban parks or wilderness areas has been shown to help many people.

Students can experience significant benefits. According to Attention Restoration Theory, resting in green environments allows students to regain the attentional focus they need for academic success in school. Concentrating in the classroom requires the brain to work in a way that cannot be maintained forever. The longer the brain must hold focus and ignore distraction, the more it loses the ability to concentration.

Attention Restoration Theory predicts that when the student's brain interacts with nature, there is a shift in the brain's attention systems. This shift toward relaxation restores the lost mental energy. Allowing students to rest in green areas during breaks can rejuvenate them and improve their readiness to learn.

Today, the need for revitalizing the attentional focus is more relevant than ever. Worldwide, screens increasingly claim our children's attentional resources during both school and leisure time. Although smart technology can be used for pleasure and social activities, studies suggest that overuse leads to smart technology-induced stress and addiction in students.

We don't yet have a complete picture of why and how smart technology drains cognitive resources. But research has found that frequent use may result in long-term attentional disturbances, such as the so-called phantom vibration and phantom ringing hallucinations, where one becomes so preoccupied by the potential for an alert, that one begins to sense them when they do not exist.

Apart from its potential to induce stress, continuous stimulation by smart technology may have unwanted side-effects on how we manage our thought processes, including divergent thinking - self-generated thoughts which occur without a fixed course. Divergent thinking is linked to creativity, and is required for adaptation to future events, sustaining a sense of self-identity, and re-interpreting social encounters.

When using smart technology, hyperlinks, videos, and commercials mix with notifications and alerts, increasing the cognitive load on memory. Spontaneous and self-generated thoughts are therefore less likely to emerge.

This is where resting in nature comes in. In our recent paper published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, we describe how unthreatening natural environments sooth us and counteract the negative effects of smart technology. We propose that the mental work occurring during a restoration period - so-called mind wandering (off-task thoughts that occur either with or without intention) - is sustained by natural environments. And we point to the need for more research that relates to green environments, spontaneous thought processes, and divergent thinking.

Hence, coupling periods of smart technology use with periods of exposure to a natural environment may be optimal for children in the 21st century.

As an afterthought, the consequences of using smart technology within natural environments are not yet known, although research on the effect of using Pokémon Go may give us some indications. Such smartphone games are likely to increase physical activity levels and may favor children who are already fond of both gaming and outdoor physical activities. Our future studies will identify how technology can be used to encourage different children to get outside.
Additional Reading
LESSONS FROM DENMARK: The Benefits of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic in the Great Outdoors
GROWING THE UDESKOLE MOVEMENT: Finding Balance in School-Based Outdoor Learning
UDESKOLE IN SCANDINAVIA: Teaching and Learning in Natural Places
FOREST THEATRE: A Lesson in Letting Kids Self-Direct
THE SCHOOL OF NATURE: Greening Our Schools May Be the Real Cutting Edge of Education, by Richard Louv
FOREST KINDERGARTEN IN THE CEDARSONG WAY, by Erin Kenny
Earth in Mind, by David Orr
Beyond the Rainbow Bridge, by Barbara Patterson and Pamela Bradley
Sharing Nature with Children, by Joseph Cornell
Problem-Solving in the Classroom: A Case Study from Georgia's First Forest School by Jas Darland

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of environmental psychology, 15(3), 169-182.

Schilhab, T. (2017). Adaptive Smart Technology Use: The Need for Meta-Self-Regulation. Frontiers in Psychology. Doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00298.

Schilhab, T. (2018, January 10). Can your child's phone bring them closer to nature? ScienceNordic. Retrieved from http://sciencenordic.com/can-your-child%E2%80%99s-phone-bring-them-closer-nature

Schilhab, T.S.S, Stevenson, M.P., & Bentsen, P (2018). Balancing screen-time with green-time: A case for using smart technology and nature together to optimise learning processes. Frontiers in Psychology, section Educational Psychology.
Commentaries here and elsewhere on the C&NN website are offered to inform readers and to stimulate new thinking and debate. C&NN does not officially endorse every statement in every commentary.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Matt P. Stevenson, Theresa Schilhab & Peter Bentsen

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BALANCING SCREEN TIME WITH GREEN TIME: Attention Retention Theory Helps Explain Why Nature Play Helps Learning

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nature experiences can be a perfect antidote to the buzzing distraction of modern childhood. After a trip to the forest or the beach, the mind seems reinvigorated. Here's why. Attention Restoration Theory, first developed by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, asserts that people can concentrate better afte

# data[].attributes.body
Amazon 3D printers for schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Everything Is AWESOME!!! - Tegan And Sara feat. The Lonely Island by WaterTowerMusic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Album: The Lego Movie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Track: Everything Is AWESOME!!! 
Artist: Tegan and Sara feat. The Lonely Island

Want the Album? 
i-Tunes: http://smarturl.it/Lego_i?IQid=SC
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/legomusic?IQid=SC
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lego-movie-mark-mothersbaugh/27072103?ean=794043174018 

# data[].attributes.body
Student Interest Form

# data[].attributes.body
Makerspace ideas

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
All the Makerspace resources you could hope for (and more)

I first started learning about the Maker Movement in education and makerspaces in late 2013. Since then, I've been using this page to compile and curate some of the best articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources that have helped me along the way. My hope is that you will consider this a go-to resource as you progress along your own Maker journey. No matter whether you're just getting started with makerspaces or are looking to grow your program, there's something here for you.

What is the Maker Movement?

The Maker Movement has been around for a lot longer than many of us realize. Really, the desire to make things with our hands has existed since the dawn of humanity and DIY culture has long played an important role. Make Magazine has been around since 2005 and the first Maker Faire was held in 2006. Check out the articles below for a great take on what the Maker Movement means for education.

Colleen Grave's first started a makerspace at Lamar Middle School and then when on to pilot a makerspace at Ryan High School. She shares all about her experiences, projects her students are making and has gathered substantial resource lists as well. Her blog is seriously awesome. (Of course, I'm biased because we wrote a book together)

Laura Fleming's blog about her library and makerspace at New Milford High School. One of the pioneers of the school library makerspace movement, Laura has shared many amazing resources (and she has an awesome book too!)

Andy Plemmons' blog; in addition to being an all-around awesome librarian, Andy does an amazing job of bringing making into Barrow Elemenntary School. He collaborates with the University of Georgia and often brings the makerspace into his curriculum collaborations with teachers. He's also amazing at fundraising and creating big, school-wide projects.

Krissy runs an amazing makerspace called the Launch Pad at her elementary school, and she is an fantastic advocate for creativity. She also creates gorgeous posters (many with maker themes) that she makes freely available on her site and she founded the #elemaker hashtag. Did I mention that her job title is Innovation Coordinator?

Gwyneth Jones is an all around awesome librarian who shares resources relentlessly on her blog. She started a makerspace in her library recently and has taken a balanced approach, starting with a few affordable centers. She also makes amazing posters and graphics and offers them for FREE on her blog.

Robert Pronovost's blog about Ravenswood Elementary Makerspace. He's documented his space since he created it and offers some great advice on procedures. Definitely an excellent example of a successful elementary space.

Blog run by public librarians who work with young adults. The write about all things YA and have quite a few posts on makerspaces and maker programs.

Blog that focuses on libraries and artists working together. More of a public library and museum focus.

The people who started it all - there's amazing project inspiration and ideas on here, as well as lots of free resources.

Co-written by me, Colleen Graves and Aaron Graves, this book is packed full of lots of practical information and real-life examples of using design challenges in makerspaces. We cover everything from building a maker culture and setting up the physical space of your makerspace to organizing global collaborations and sharing your projects through Maker Fests. We go into detail about creating design challenge prompts that can inspire your makers. The book has sections specifically focused on elementary and secondary curriculum connections and we feature interviews with a ton of amazing maker educators at all grade levels.

Available from Amazon and other book sellers now!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I first started learning about the Maker Movement in education and makerspaces in late 2013. Since then, I've been using this page to compile and curate some of the best articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources that have helped me along the way.

# data[].attributes.body
Lo Tech - No Tech Ideas enable you start small, immediately and at a savings.

# data[].attributes.body
Engaging Learners through hands on problem solving.

# data[].attributes.body
Idea to involve community members

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Family Mornings: Getting parents on board with your vision

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Family maker mornings are a time (usually on Saturdays) when parents and students come together to "make." This is a great opportunity to promote our school's vision of fostering a "failing forward" attitude based on learning by trial and error and increasing creativity.

# data[].attributes.headline
Green Screens are great for morning newscasts and creative minds

# data[].attributes.subject
Green Screens are great for morning newscasts and creative minds

# data[].attributes.body
We hope to paint our cinder block walls with green paint or purchase a small folding screen. Look at what fun we can have!

# data[].attributes.body
Legos are universally fun and engaging at any age!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An elementary school librarian quickly assembled an inexpensive LEGO wall with donated LEGO bricks, crowdsourced advice, and good humor.

# data[].attributes.body
3D Printers were all the rage, but have lost some of their appeal. However, they have come down in price and are smaller in size. We are working with the ART and Design Technology Departments to see if we can share resources, purchase one and have it installed in the library.

# data[].attributes.body
We hope to create a grass roots maker space in our library. With limited funds and space we hope to begin with low tech, craft and DIY projects: ex. sudoku, word search, coloring books, assorted puzzles, and rubik cubes.
Donated board and card games like Monopoly, Candy Crush, Operation, UNO, Chinese Checkers and Chess will be available.

Many of the students play interactive games like Minecraft, Diablo and Fortnite. We are looking for ways to come up with project themed lessons around these games. We will utilize a sample survey to collect ideas and peak interest.