A recently opened STEAM studio in a school library is how one elementary school is making space for creative learning.
Some of the materials available at Doyon Elementary’s new makerspace include paper towel tubes, pipe cleaners, iPads, 3D printers, and thousands of Legos. A makerspace is an area set aside for students to invent, create, collaborate, and experiment in STEAM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics).
The school community is enthusiastic about the studio, which also contains blocks, electronic circuits, programmable robots, and thousands of arts and craft supplies. “It has only been open two months, but has really created a great buzz in the school,” said fifth-grade teacher Amy Gregory, who led the effort to establish a makerspace. “The kids and the teachers are so excited.”
There is no limit to the creativity the students can show in their projects. Students use video to make stop motion animation of stories they have written. Others make movie trailers for favorite books and stories. They can also create their own apps and podcasts.
Younger students are learning to code small Beebot robots, and use technology to map their town.
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