THE TRANSFORMATION BEGINS
Connie Fowler & Kathryn Nutt
It's All a Matter of the Mindset
Pot of Gold was somewhere at the end of the rainbow,
if we start the journey and imagine what could be.
if we start the journey and imagine what could be.
Small...Gradual...Changes
Interactive lessons...hands-on...before makerspaces.
Thinking Outside the Box
- The High School librarian decided to consolidate the collection to get more floor space.
- Re-purpose the 8 year old double sided shelving.
- Reuse them at the older campuses.
So the change begins...
Colors and Space - Oh, My!
- Started with two elementary campuses then moved to the middle school
- Designed a new layout to create learning spaces for students
- Rearranged and re-purposed shelving in the libraries
- Selected bright colors to brighten the room
- Arrangement of furniture and shelving emphasized flexibility
- Tables with wheels acquired for mobility and collaboration
- Removing Free Standing Shelves to open cramped spaces
- More space for classes for interactivity and collaboration
Spaces to learn - play - explore - create - collaborate - grow
Spaces for Makerspaces
- Caught the Makerspace bug
- Worked with the established current year budget
- Began training personnel - library aides
- Kick-off with one elementary school
- Mornings - before school - student passes -
Making Makerspaces
- Puzzles, Legos, Keva Blocks, Lincoln Logs, checkers, chess, play dough, marble runs, etc.
- Start small and use whatever you have- boxes, paper, tinker items, etc.
- Nearly everything has a makerspace use - collect recycle items
- Let students use their own imaginations
- You don't have to know everything. Kids will teach the teacher.
Makerspace Benefits
- Students use their kinesthetic abilities
- Access to multiple learning spaces
- Learning through play
- Collaboration with peers
- Integrates science, mathematics and literacy learning
Makerspace Challenges
- Buy-in to the concept and vision of a makerspace
- Recognizing it won't be the library you grew up with. Interactive and noisy.
- Understanding how makerspaces builds literacy
A Work in Progress
Students love to come and interact with the makerspaces
...because they are actively engaged.
...because they are actively engaged.

