Terrific Makerspace Projects: A Practical Guide for Librarians features fifteen customizable projects that were designed as projects created by librarians/makerspace facilitators, rather than projects in which librarians guided others (makerspace users). These projects were showcased during library events with the goal of promoting the makerspace, as well as other library services, while using them to build connections both within and external to the library. This book outlines maker projects in detail and provides plenty of photos and resources so readers can recreate, customize, and implement them. People at all skill levels in every type of makerspace will find something they can try, with projects that range from simple and low-tech to more complex and tech-heavy. Most projects are inexpensive, taking advantage of free online tools, upcycled or repurposed materials, and low cost electronics such as Arduinos. Each project can be approached as an offering for makerspace visitors or can be created by library employees themselves as tools to engage in outreach and promote the makerspace, library services, the institution, and more. Every project has been created and tested in a real library setting by the authors, who present lessons learned, possible variations, and different ideas on how to implement the projects to their fullest extent. Explore the idea of using the makerspace to highlight the value of other library services, or simply find new and fun ways to engage with your users. The book also offers suggestions on how to be a great maker, and tips on makerspace safety, finding low-cost materials, and more. Whether you’re just beginning your makerspace or looking for fresh ideas for your established space, this book has something to offer.

Bridges, furniture, musical instruments, games, vehicles—all of these things were invented and improved upon by people who love to put stuff together, take stuff apart, and figure out how things work! In Explore Makerspace! With 25 Great Projects, readers ages 7 through 10 explore what it means to be an engineer. They discover how inventors use science, art, and math to create new and exciting structures, games, and more. Readers also learn how to set up their own makerspaces at home, using inexpensive and easy-to-find supplies for their tinkering projects. Humans have been inventors throughout history. From the wheel to the rocket, scientists and other engineers have designed new technologies that have made daily life easier and stretched our horizons far beyond our own atmosphere. But inventions don’t have to be full of computer chips or other sophisticated parts. Designing the fastest toy car made from recycled materials can be just as thrilling! Makerspaces can be found in schools, libraries, community centers, and homes all around the country. These are places where both children and adults can work with materials and use the engineer design process to come up with new ideas. Here, imagination, art, and logic combine to produce lasting lessons in science, math, and physics. In Explore Makerspace! With 25 Great Projects, readers learn how to think proactively when faced with a challenge and discover the trial-and-error processes that lead to new discoveries. They find out about the motivation behind some of the world’s most amazing inventions. Through STEAM projects ranging from designing a bridge to creating board games and musical instruments, children discover how to be an engineer.

Start-to-finish, fun projects for makers of all types, ages, and skill levels! This easy-to-follow guide features dozens of DIY, low-cost projects that will arm you with the skills necessary to dream up and build your own creations. The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn offers practical tips for beginners and open-ended challenges for advanced makers. Each project features non-technical, step-by-step instructions with photos and illustrations to ensure success and expand your imagination. You will learn recyclables hacks, smartphone tweaks, paper circuits, e-textiles, musical instruments, coding and programming, 3-D printing, and much, much more! Discover how to create: • Brushbot warriors, scribble machines, and balloon hovercrafts • Smartphone illusions, holograms, and projections • Paper circuits, origami, greeting cards, and pop-ups • Dodgeball, mazes, and other interesting Scratch games • Organs, guitars, and percussion instruments • Sewed LED bracelets, art cuffs, and Arduino stuffie • Makey Makey and littleBits gadgets • Programs for plug-and-play and Bluetooth-enabled robots • 3D design and printing projects and enhancements

Creating powerful learning environments Anyone can create a makerspace. This is the guide to creating a GREAT makerspace. Written by makerspace pioneer Laura Fleming, The Kickstart Guide to Making GREAT Makerspaces is filled with step-by-step, practical ideas that demystify the process of planning and creating a makerspace. Its workbook style ensures that by the time educators are done reading, they have a ready-to-implement plan, personalized for their classroom, school, or district. Readers will find A wealth of examples of great makerspaces in action Activities and strategies for inspiring making across the curriculum Plenty of room and guidance for brainstorming and developing a personalized plan

Librarians Graves et al. discuss challenge-based learning in school library makerspaces. They describe how to create a maker community in a school; expand learning with the local and global maker community through Maker Fests, digital media, local events, and other means; craft interactive spaces; use the workshop model to teach students a new skill; use design thinking, design challenges, and crowdsourced research methods to help students think like designers; create design challenges for elementary and secondary students; and use crowdsourced research and maker journals. --Publisher.

"Meg goes to Maker School to hone her talent for building with boxes, but when Simone, another boxitect, arrives they become so competitive they nearly fail in the annual Maker Match." --

A new and expanded edition of one of the decade's most influential education books. In this practical guide, Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager provide K-12 educators with the how, why, and cool stuff that supports making in the classroom, library, makerspace, or anywhere learners learn.