Makerspaces have become a hot topic in education. While not a new concept, makerspaces are gaining traction for the many benefits they provide students as these spaces are integrated into classrooms and schools.
Makerspaces are designed to challenge students to create and learn through hands-on, personalized experiences throughout elementary, middle and high school. Here are a few of the many benefits of makerspaces.
Providing the opportunity to innovate
Makerspaces foster innovation through hands-on experimentation. Participants have the opportunity to be creative and apply personalized learning strategies to make changes to existing concepts or develop their own ideas, methods or products.
Creating real-world applications for classroom concepts
Hands-on learning takes the concepts taught through lecture, video or textbooks and allows participants to move from an abstract concept to a real-world understanding. Participants are then able to practice creating solutions to real-world problems.
Learning to take failure in stride
In experimentation, testing, evaluating and modifying are part of the process. Participants learn how to make failure into a learning experience and not become discouraged or frustrated when something doesn’t go as planned.
Exposing students to new opportunities
Makerspaces provide the opportunity to learn something new, whether it is an alternate way to approach learning or utilizing new tools and resources to reach a solution.
Building critical thinking and problem-solving skills
The ability to think critically and effectively problem solve should be established at a young age and cultivated over time. These skills are fundamental to and enhanced by the learning experiences in a makerspace.
Developing a wide range of 21st century skills
21st century skills go beyond critical thinking and problem solving skills. These important skills include flexibility, collaboration, adaptability, oral and written communication, information literacy, technology literacy, productivity, social skills, leadership, initiative and more. These in-demand skill sets help to develop young minds for future success.
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Check our products page, and our learning platform Engage!K12 that offer a wide range of lessons for students and teachers! No robotics experience required.
You can find the original article here: https://www.invent.org/blog/trends-stem/benefits-makerspace
