In this article we are going to introduce you to Makerspaces, which are designed to empower students with transversal skills. The article is based on EUN’s practical guidelines “Makerspaces in Schools”.

Makerspaces are a particular type of learning environment aimed for hands-on collaborative, creative work and are a fairly recent addition to some schools in Europe and worldwide. School makerspaces provide students with everyday materials to work with as well as programmable robots to create and complete many different projects using a big variety of tools and machinery. The learning space is adapted to create a safe, yet collaborative environment.

Activities used in makerspaces

Makerspaces allow students to shift from passive use of objects created by others to better understanding how technologies work and creating innovative objects themselves. Activities can include analysing objects, especially electronic, mechanical and IT devices, breaking these down and creating new objects from the pieces and knowledge acquired. Also, creating new objects by working in design cycles that lead to a solution by progressively correcting errors is encouraged.

Projects may vary from introductory topics requiring basic knowledge of specific technologies or subjects and might progress to applied knowledge projects, that may be collaborative and inter-disci­plinary, in which they enhance their knowledge and skills through problem-solving activities. Students can also participate in more ambitious, long-term projects, that may simulate a professional context. These can relate to competitions that require planning, teamwork and project management skills in addition to making skills.

Benefits of makerspaces

Research conducted by EUN’s member INDIRE has confirmed that the advantages of makerspaces are numerous and multidimensional and concern not only students but also teachers, classes and schools. Improvement in students’ engagement, motivation, communication and problem-solving skills, development of leadership skills, enhanced reputation and innovation for schools, enhanced team working spirit in classes constitute a small sample of them and more can be found in the original document.

Learn more here!

EUN’s Makerspaces in Schools publication, including:

• The full report with a detailed introduction about the use of makerspaces and its benefits, and practical guidelines to school leaders and teachers on how to plan and create their own spaces.
• 15 cases studies in nine countries, including interviews with the experiences of schools’ principals and teachers of already existent school makerspaces.