ORC Maker Educator Boot Camp 2016

ORC Maker Educator Boot Camp 2016

Forty-eight teachers and administrators from the four member school districts and Robert Morris University participated in the 2016 Maker Educator Boot Camp.  The Boot Camp was conducted by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh June 20 - 23and was held throughout the Museum.

The first two days participants rotated through 4 workshops which featured the four segments of the MakeShop: Hard & Found Materials, Fiber & Soft Materials, Electronics, and Digital.  On the third day participants delved deeper into one area of Maker media.  The choices were Makey Makey, Woodworking, Fiber/eTextiles, Storytelling, Game Design, and Hummingbird Robotics.

The fourth and final day participants found themselves examining and identifying evidence of learning and having dialog over the vision for their individual schools.

The fourth day the participants were faced with their final challenge.  Each small group was given a set of criteria that were to be incorporated into a design and creating.  Below are a few photos showing some of the collaboration and results.

Earth Day Maker Style

Earth Day Celebration

Maker Style

Moon Township, Robin Hill Park

Members of the Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Zeta Omicron Chapter of Robert Morris University sponsored a “Make a Bird Feeder” booth at the Earth Day Celebration sponsored by Moon Township Parks & Recreation Department.  Children of all ages were excited with the opportunity to create a bird feeder of their own design.  One child asked, “What are the Rules?  The RMU student responded with “There are no rules.”   “Wow.”   

School Maker Faire at Avonworth High School

Below you will find the Home Page and the registration links for the School Maker Faire being hosted at the Avonworth High School.  Please review with your faculty and submit your entry.  The deadline for entries is April 24.  The Faire is May 10th.

School Maker Faire home web page link:

http://klockette.wix.com/orcschoolmakerfaire

School Maker Faire Registration Form

http://goo.gl/forms/9ALDZXt5Mn

Let Ken or Ron know if you have any questions.  I think I know what I want to do.  Its a little messy but it is fun.

Be creative 

Something that became apparent as our committee met was that "maker" projects were being incorporated into our curriculum even though we didn't have a "designated" spot. This was exciting as we see the new space as a type of "garage." (It's even going to be a part of our name). It will serve as a place where teachers can bring classes to design and create but also as a place where teachers can "shop" for the needed supplies and then transport them to their classrooms.

In addition to planning and renovating the new space, we are spending time identifying where maker projects are occurring already and looking at curricular areas where we can infuse technology and creative expressions. We think that science is a natural fit so are beginning in this subject area.

Here is a sampling of some learning projects that are already taking shape:

Osborne's gARTen Club where Art and gardening meet

Designing with LittleBits

Creating an enrichment items for the zoo

Mobile for Goat Enrichment toy

 

 

 

 

 

Original creation of music

 

 

 

 

At Quaker Valley, we formed a committee to look at growing our use of maker space areas in our two elementary schools and how to best incorporate this philosophy into our curriculum. The committee is led by our Director of Instruction and Learning and includes the principals, technology teachers, librarians, art teachers, and academic specialists from both Osborne and Edgeworth. Additional members are a Kindergarten teacher, the Middle School librarian, and our Program Development Specialist on loan to ASSET Science.

Our Middle School library underwent a major renovation forming areas that tap into each of the STEAM aspects. Students can explore robotics, circuitry, stop-motion video, voice and video recording/production, as well as a host of other options.

Video Recording Booth

Last year our elementary schools’ computer labs underwent a makeover to include flexible seating, 3-D printers, robotics and curriculum changes to incorporate coding. Our kindergarten is piloting ideas/lessons from the Children’s Innovation Project and across the district, professional development opportunities are being offered based upon Harvard University’s Project Zero.

Osborne's tech lab

Given all of these factors we decided to develop a philosophy to help us stay focused so that the new space would reflect our educational objectives and philosophies.  We believe that maker-centered learning:

• enhances content and curriculum
• involves experimentation and exploration
• values the design process over the product
• fosters collaboration and deeper thinking
• develops agency through failure and persistence as part of the innovative and creative process
• encourages real-world connections
• promotes opportunities in which adults and children share the roles of learner and teacher
• utilizes dispositions that encourage students to find innovative solutions

Now that we were able to articulate our philosophy, we were able to proceed with creating the spaces. On recommendation from Ron, we enlisted the help of Anne Fullenkamp from the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to help design the areas.  The new maker spaces will be located in a classroom off of each elementary library. These areas are accessible from the library and a hallway, are in the center of the upper floor classrooms. The rooms have windows so children and teachers can see what is happening in the space and thus, spark excitement and curiosity.

It is definitely a work-in-progress but we are now at the point of being able to make the final decisions on the design elements. Here are the before photos:

Edgeworth's Future Makerspace

Osborne's Future Makerspace