Inquiry Group 3
At the top of this slide deck, please write out a new Essential Question that synthesizes all of your individual questions.
Consider:
Essential Question:
In what ways can we redefine a makerspace to effectively use adapted resources to make a difference for ALL students?
Ebonne Cabarrus
Ask students how they feel about the program, and encourage them to discuss it together (and listen!)
-Erin
What outcomes are you looking for? What do you look to change before pre-program to after-program.
Creating simple assessments and using the results as data.
What is the theory of impact? Logic model? What research provides insight into likely outcomes based on a set of inputs?
Could you collect data from students from before and after the program? This data could also help you secure stakeholder support, etc.
Assessing their status prior to the program, during the program, and then after the program might give you a good idea of impact and allow you to respond to weaknesses/strengths while you are implementing your program!
Documenting their work and feedback could help. Maybe you could put together a video of your own to show others how your program is affecting learners.
What are your program’s goals?
How do I measure the impact my program has on our students?
Erin McDowell
A great resource to identify underserved populations and who they are is school demographics - there are typically reports done by schools/counties on what percentage of the school is high needs as well as what percentage is from specific marginalized groups. This may help you to better understand the population you’re working with and then address their needs. - Madison
It can take place in multiple forms if you have the resources. If you can look into different ways that fit all student needs.
What wrap around services can be provided or referred out for the underserved pops?
How do you best understand the needs of the under-served populations regarding maker projects?
Not empty anymore!
Hi Erin. Great Q. We should think deeply about how to expand our reach. Which populations do we reach out to and how do we engage them? I think thoughtful storytelling will create awareness around what our project is and what our site has to offer, providing easy entry or access to the SCC Makerspace -MZ
What form should this project take to best serve all of our students, but still give appropriate focus to underserved populations?
Jarrett Curtis
This is a great point. I would say that my host site has a huge area where we keep all our purchased materials and reuse them for various activities. This also helps take some of the responsibility off of schools and students to provide supplies. -Madison Jeziorski
Maybe you could start by prototyping some activities by using found materials and sharing your ideas with teachers.
This issue truly cuts across all demographic groups and can be a great hook for engaging students.
Great q~more recycled materials? Projects related to the ecosystem the makerspace is located in
How can we address ecological issues within the context of maker-centered learning and issues of equity? Are there ways to flip the narrative on what low-income schools lack by creating new maker-centered learning programs that emphasize sustainability and ecological responsibility? (passive making, growing, unmaking, recycling, etc.)
Joseph White
Not to be all psuedo-psychiatrist, but when will you feel like you have succeeded?
Fail early, fail often. Design thinking teaches us that we learn the most from our failures. Testing and prototyping new ideas in this virtual environment is the only way to learn faster and understand how to engage in this new virtual environment with grace. -MZ
This is all new to us, and we’re all figuring out how to create a new normal. I think success will look like making decisions that are best for your students. And remembering that they too are figuring out how to deal with this new normal. So give them grace and work with them. Rose
I ask myself this everyday. I think if you can do your best to think of the needs that students currently have, and find a solution for it, you would already be doing an amazing job. -Alicia
This is definitely a question I have as well. I think it will really be about redefining goals with our supervisors and being realistic about what we can do at this moment. - Madison Jeziorski
I think the fact that you are asking these questions early on indicates that you will use your resources to create a positive impact with students.
-Karan
With all the work we are doing under new conditions, that we are not used to; What would be considered a failure or success of my job?
Karan Ravi
STEM & Making can be great “offline” supplements if kids are on screens all day for other academics. Liz (Dayton)
This is a more specific answer - but it might help to focus more on reflective prompts and “use what you have on hand” activities. We may have to shift more towards creating something based on kids’ thoughts instead of directly designing something based on specific requirements in an activity. - Madison Jeziorski
Providing them with a space where they can engage, like break out room sessions and guided activities.
Using digital platforms such as Google Classroom and Zoom are great resources. -TJH
I’m very interested in this question! I think definitely hackathons, or programing and engagement with local companys -AR
There are a lot of websites that have online lesson plans and hands on STEM activities ex) NOAA
We are using many platforms during this institute that could be useful. Padlet, Google, zoom. Maybe VR/AR are additional resources.
Good Q. We will have to adapt, as so many businesses and schools have to do rn. Through our experience and training we are the best group to be able to respond to the changing educational and business environments. The best way to engage students is to think creatively about how they will learn best and change our traditional learning constructs to meet today's virtual environment. -MZ
How can we continue to engage students with STEM learning if restrictions of virtual learning continue for the next year?
Madison Jeziorski
Use recycled or open platform making tools like Twine (for video games_-AR
Look at designing/ using low-cost activities that may not require high-end technologies. (i.e. I did three projects with my 9 year old son yesterday with the maker kit we were sent). Lots of ways to find ways to engage youth with hands-on activities with popsicle sticks, construction paper, etc.) Make-do mentality.- Joe
I’ve had a lot of success with programs in the past by aligning them with Common Core standards and then connecting with teachers as much as possible at community events.
There are many low-to-no cost projects, many involving no supplies, for team building and getting one into a maker-mindset..you don’t always need high tech or expensive equipment, actually those can be a crutch in the beginning of the maker’s journey..
I think working alongside of teachers and figuring out how you can help lighten their loads and ho you can help them implement the program so they are not doing it all alone. Maybe corporate with them to send out stem kits or to create lesson plans and low maintenance activities. Rose
I am having the same issue, Madison. Teachers in my district are currently overwhelmed with virtual learning and are not in the best position to implement something new. I am trying to send STEM kits out and am hoping the teachers will see the value. -Alicia
This will definitely require the input from the teachers to get a better understanding of where the students are at and how best we can position ourselves to assist them during this hectic time.
In a setting where high-need schools may not have the resources or time to accept new programming, how do we adapt and help the schools implement maker education?
Maggie Crum
Keep in as much contact as possible see if you can aid their classroom when they are overwhelmed- AR
Ask teachers what content standard they would appreciate support in and create a lesson which addresses that standard
Aligning programs to standards where possible and then reaching out to teachers specifically that do not have a strong science background
Think how you can offer your programs in multiple formats so that educators can engage when & how they have capacity.
Liz Wolfe-Eberly, Dayton Regional STEM Center
I love this question. I think it would be important to have different opportunities for them to add input, learn, etc. Making videos and posting them on youtube or having a saturday where they can come and play with the maker kits.
We’ve been trying to create complete online learning packages for teachers to drag and drop as needed. How would that work? - Serena
I second trying to integrate maker-centered learning or your program into their curriculum. - Lexi
Making sure educators have a big say in curriculum-making and on its integration into their classroom. Letting them take on as much as they can chew and not forcing it on them.
How can we engage educators, who have more on their plate than ever before, in the work being done at the makerspace?