When you think of learning math and science, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? For many of us, it’s the image of an open textbook, or maybe it’s a teacher leading lecture at a whiteboard full of numbers and figures.But that isn’t always how STEM learning has looked, and it isn’t the most effective way to inspire students to want to learn.
Long before the rules of theorems were written in textbooks, people were using math, science, and engineering because we, as humans, wanted to understand the world around us. The thrill of discovery drove us to learn more and more about how the world works.
Luckily, the Maker Movement is inspiring that type of learning again, and it’s happening right here in the middle schools of Decatur.
The Maker Movement “embraces innovation, creativity, and learning to improve our communities and create a better future.” It’s a grassroots movement toward inspiring invention among DIY enthusiasts and reconnecting students with why they’ll want to learn.
A Makerspace plays a key role in feeding the Maker Movement in a school or community. It’s a place where students can gather to create, tinker, invent, and explore using a variety of tools and materials. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate setup either. Materials like cardboard, tape, yarn, and glue can be the foundation of your Makerspace; it’s far more important that the space is somewhere that students are free to explore. To succeed or to fail, but most importantly to learn from either outcome.
The first stage of Makerspaces in Decatur City Schools came to the Media Center at Cedar Ridge Middle School last year. Now when you walk into their library, it’s not uncommon to hear the sound of marbles crashing at the bottom of homemade ramps or students talking to strategize over how to make their designs better!
Media Center Specialist Tracy Glenn said last year that she could already see students having fun and not even realizing they were learning! She adds that “A Makerspace gives our students the opportunity to explore different types of technology or skills than we are able to offer in our traditional classes. It gives all students a place to be creative, to try new things, and to solve problems.”
Seeing the benefit of having Makerspaces accessible to young learners, Decatur City Schools Foundation started applying for grants to help expand Glenn’s Makerspace and have them implemented at all Decatur City Middle Schools. One organization we connected with about Makerspaces was The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, whose mission is to “strengthen communities within Alabama and improve the quality of life for citizens from all regions of Alabama.”
Recognizing the potential, lasting impact that these Makerspaces will have on our students, The Daniel Foundation has given $15,000 toward expanding them throughout our school system! They hope to inspire other foundations and private donors to invest in Alabama students. Maria S. Kennedy, Executive Director of The Daniel Foundation of Alabama remarks, “We hope our funding serves as an encouragement for other funding. We continue to be excited about being a part of the good work taking place in the communities throughout Alabama."
We’re sure that the Decatur City Schools Makerspaces will inspire learning for years to come!
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