By Matthew Fink, AID, LEED BD+C, Associate and Registered Architect at LAN Associates. People are intrinsically makers, tinkerers, creators. Whether it is through art, music, language, or any other media, people are drawn to this idea of making and creating something new. There is a great passion in making as it allows us to not only show understanding, but an opportunity to express ourselves, our personalities, and our ideas. Making is also considered one of the best ways to learn. This idea becomes quite obvious when we look back at our childhood toys. Whether LEGO blocks, science kits, or doctor bags, we emulate a real-life process and learn by doing rather than our outdated tradition of rote memorization. With this in mind, how do we create a successful makerspace promoting authentic learning through doing? There is a big difference between a “builder’s playground” where the idea is to simply build versus a makerspace designed for the advancement of young learners. We’ve identified four learning components of a successful makerspace along with four physical components to aid in this quest for innovation and career readiness. Read the full article: https://www.haskelloffice.com/making-a-successful-makerspace/

1. Making a
Successful
Makerspace
Matthew Fink
AIA, LEED BD+C
Associate and
Registered Architect at
LAN Associates.

2. Physical Components
of A Successful
Makerspace
PART TWO:

3. Collaborative
Design Area

4. Makerspaces are
meant for the
collision of varied
viewpoints and a
range of ideas.

5. To promote this
collaboration,
incorporate large,
open tables or even
rearrange-able furniture
where groups can solve
problems
together.

6. These areas should
have solid work surfaces
and can easily be
enhanced with access to
electricity, compressed
air, dust collection, and
more to allow for
flexibility in
making and
equipment.

7. Solo
Design
Area

8. Similar to the setup
of a 21st Century
classroom, learning
takes place
in many
different ways.

9. Students may learn differently
than their peers and
individualized areas aid in
lessons and
understanding.

10. A countertop or work area where makers can pull away from
the larger group for self-reflection or quiet brainstorming
helps create an environment for varied makers.

11. This area provides a private
niche where makers can get
lost in a design and
let their ideas
flow freely.

12. Launch Pad

13. This is where great ideas
begin. It takes thoughts and
translates them into
visual means of
communication.

14. Launch pads start with an
interactive display board,
large whiteboard surfaces,
and/or tackable wall space,
and create areas accessible to
all to convey a message.

15. No longer a space
where only the teacher
stands and directs, it is
a vertical surface to
share and ignite
early ideas.

16. It becomes a display of
concepts and diagrams, a
canvas for a group to sketch
ideas, and a presentation
area where makers can
explain their design process
and receive feedback from
their peers.

17. Bits
and
Pieces

18. Something that every
space needs is storage.
As the possibilities for a
makerspace are endless,
it is crucial that a variety
of storage spaces are
included in the design.

19. Electronics, printer filament,
wiring, processors,
cardboard, glue, paint, and
tools are just some of the
basics within a
makerspace.

20. Providing a place for these bits and pieces as well
as personal student storage is a critical element to
allow for the combination of making methods,
examination of early prototypes, and safe storage of
precious designs still in progress.

21. Want to
know more?
Visit https://www.haskelloffice.com/making-a-successful-makerspace/
to read the full article.