This document discusses how makerspaces can be used to advance STEM skills in schools. It provides examples of how one school district has implemented makerspaces and hands-on learning opportunities to engage students and teach STEM concepts. Projects described include a library makerspace, co-taught classrooms, social skills groups, pirate hat and jack-o-lantern making, and summer camps focused on creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. Makerspace activities are shown covering topics like electricity, magnets, 3D printing, coding, sound exploration and more. The document encourages understanding learners, assessing curricula and considering best practices when starting a makerspace program.

1. Advancing STEM Skills in
School Makerspaces
Kim Bradshaw
Tina Coffey
Meg Swecker
Roanoke County Schools

2. It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in
creative expression and knowledge. –Albert Einstein

6. Library MakerSpace

7. Some learners
struggle with
traditional teaching
approaches.

8. If a child cannot
learn in the way we
teach, we must
teach in a way the
child can learn.
– Dr. Ivar Lovaas

11. Co-Taught
Classroom

12. Social Skills Group

14. “The best way
to start is
simply to start.”
-Emily Pilloton
Educator & Designer

15. Pirate Hats
ARRRR!

16. Hack-O-Lanterns

20. “My point is a simple one:
Your expectations can be
a bigger obstacle to
success than your
students’ disabilities.”
-John Franklin Stephens
Special Olympics Athlete & Global Messenger

21. Leaders in their
own homerooms

22. MakerMondays

23. MakerWorkshops

25. Summer Camp

26. Student leaders
in the making…

27. reativity
ollaboration
ritical thinking
ommunication

28. Standards

29. Electricity

30. Electricity
and Music

32. Magnets, Money, and
Cardinal Directions

34. 3D Printing

35. Exploring
Motion

36. Exploring Motion

37. Robotic Fraction and
Decimal Challenge

38. Robotic Fraction and
Decimal Challenge

39. Snow Plow
Coding
Challenge

40. Exploring
Sound

41. Exploring
Sound

42. MakerShop
MakerShop

43. Starting Your Own
Makerspace

44. Stuff
Let’s Talk About

45. Stuff
It’s NOT About the

46. Understand your learners.

47. Assess existing
curricula, programs,
and offerings.

48. Consider global trends
and best practices.

49. Kim Bradshaw
Tina Coffey
Meg Swecker
www.learningcollaboratory.com
Download Presentation and Learn more:
kbradshaw@rcs.k12.va.us
tcoffey@rcsk.12.va.us
mswecker@rcs.k12.va.us