Hi #scitlap! I used to be a runner, before I had a baby.....almost two years ago. Yikes. Megan, 8th Science and co-founder of #122edchat, D122 in Oak Lawn, IL.
A1: I innovate every day as I try to come up with new and exciting ways to teach content to my students. Never content with doing things the same as I've done them before. #scitlap
A1: I innovate every day as I try to come up with new and exciting ways to teach content to my students. Never content with doing things the same as I've done them before. #scitlap
A1 I make stuff with kids every morning at school. But personally I like to make themed food and I recently made all the centerpieces for my daughter's Bat Mitzvah #scitlap
A1: I think innovation is one of the things that makes teaching interesting & helps keep it fresh from year to year. Asking yourself how can I do this differently? better? #scitlap
A2: They're learning to iterate - try, do, re-do, try again, over and over. And with that, they're learning that failing is not only okay, but the only way to make progress. #scitlap
A2 Problem solving is one of the biggest. Ss should be learning and practicing the design process. We are doing more of this now with the new #NYSSLS#NGSS. Design and making should be part of what we do as science teachers. #scitlap
A2 When students make things, they really learn the ins and outs of how things work. Nothing beats getting your "hands dirty", especially in science. #scitlap
A2: They gain confidence as they close the gap between thinking and doing. For some, simply imitating a model is monumental. I think self efficacy is the skill. #scitlap
A2 Let's not forget the importance of teamwork and communication in a building project. These are not done alone (generally). Ss need to learn these skills. #scitlap
A3: Our students need to know that we trust and believe in them to do MORE than just "sit and get." Allowing them some choice and freedom does wonders for their internal motivation and engagement. #scitlap
A3: Believe that very few Ss are getting to make stuff, actual stuff, at home. Tech is good but something to be said for actual building/creating/assembling #scitlap
A3: Many children do not have the opportunity to "explore" at home any more for a variety of reasons. Providing that space/time in school gives them the creative outlet and opportunity to develop the critical thinking skills and collaboration mentioned before. #scitlap
A3 For me, it’s all about the problem solving. Having string problem solving skills can help anyone for the rest of life. Can be applied to all aspects of life and work. #scitlap
A3 I know that many of my Ss don't get building experiences at home. If not school then where? We need to foster that maker environment. Especially when it comes to 3D printers and such. #scitlap
A3: I think it’s equally important for adults to see talent that may not otherwise present itself in classwork. I had a student with LD outdrawing me one Summer. IMO this is the most impt part. #scitlap
A3 cont: And it is not just about the fancy tech (like 3D printers and vinyl/laser cutters). Simply building with cardboard or even paper helps students explore materials in new ways. #scitlap
A3: I think it’s equally important for adults to see talent that may not otherwise present itself in classwork. I had a student with LD outdesign me one Summer. IMO this is the most impt part. #scitlap
A3: Schools need to allow kids time for exploration and become comfortable with the unknown esp bc we are educating them to do jobs that don’t yet exist #lifeskill#scitlap
A3.2: We recently reorganized all of our son's Lego pieces by color. In doing so, he is able to let his imagination dictate what he is creating. Some days, I never see him because he is so engrossed in building "creations". #scitlap
A3 Learning happens WHILE kids are making and innovating. Content can be infused throughout the process and guaranteed it's stud they will rememeber #scitlap
A4 We have a new makerspace in our library. We are looking for ways to integrate into the classroom. Looking for great ideas. I think I need a tour to see what's really in there. I know there are Little Bits Kits. #scitlap
A4 I have a few lessons that are design challenges. Ss have a separate engineering and technology class. I'm trying to figure out how to best utilize my time without duplicating. #scitlap
I give them time in class, but because it is something they are passionate about they almost always work beyond class time. We always start with a Padlet where they share what they want to know. #scitlap
My district some of our schools have maker spaces that are enrichment experience. My state has CT Invention Convention done in class, enrichment, after-school, need more time to do this!!!! #scitlap
A4: Maker Monday, collaboration w Ts during core instruction time so that it is integrated into learning, Tinkering Tuesday. We have an innovation and design studio and an idea lab equipped w “old school” & “new school” supplies: high tech/low tech #scitlap
I did the marshmallow challenge at the beginning of the year. Going to do another projectile/catapult challenge soon. All stuff I can buy for cheap. #scitlap
We have maker mornings every day where kids can use the #makerspace for open ended projects of their choosing and then integrate projects into units. Today 3 YO class came in to make snowflakes with this tinker tray. It was so fun! #scitlap
A5: We've been blessed with the new space we have, but I'd like to see some resources for making connections to the real-world. Relevancy is lacking. #scitlap
I have construction paper, scissors, glue, markers as main supplies. I add in toilet paper tubes and other things when I have them. They make amazing things. #scitlap
A5: Lego WeDo/EV3, chrome, droid/iOS & app makers, tons of cardboard, wire. Bought micro bits & LEGO drones last yr (not put them out yet). Moving to 5&6 a yr ago from 6-8 made me reassess. #scitlap
I think the relevancy part is what, particularly at the secondary level, helps making take the jump from crafts to more design thinking/problem solving. #scitlap
A5 I've been thinking about this. Depends on the focus I guess. Cheap is good but does not necessarily teach the coding or problem-solving that a tech based space could. Rasp Pi, Little Bits, Legos, 3D printer. #scitlap
A5 I’ve cleaned out my “Home Makerspace” and brought in legos, rainbow looms, duct tape, beads, pipe cleaners, yarn, stencils, etc. The kids love all of it! #scitlap
One of my favorite catapult challenges is to have them build catapults to throw the Christmas Tree ornament (cheap plastic ones from dollar store) on to the tree, or through the wreath. Supplies- plastic spoons elastics... were under $20 for everything.#scitlap
I found double lense magnifying glasses at RAFT & asked my optometrist for eyeglass boxes. We made google cardboard. Syringes, dose and cardboard for machines. #scitlap
We have sent home emails and asked parents to clean out their junk drawers and other junk collector places. It is an ecliptic collection, but the kids get excited when I bring it out. We have built some fun models (cells, animals, earth layers...) with it. #scitlap
A6 At the moment in my district it is finding the space to do it. The librarian in my district would love to start one but there is no room. I'm leaning toward using one of the soon to be obsolete computer labs. #scitlap
It absolutely drives me crazy to find things broken. And what makes it worse is that because I’m not in this space all day I have no idea if it happens while I’m with students, when I’m not here or before or after school. Frustrating for sure.😡😡😡
A6 Keeping up with supplies and space. We our currently housed in the library and learning how to coexist with many things happening at once. But making it work the best we can #scitlap
A6: Time. It’s important to discover ways for #makered to enrich learning in core subjects bc often times, resources & logistics don’t allow for addtl afterschool programs #scitlap
I think one of the biggest challenges could be the Ss themselves. The high achievers want to have a "right" answer, so that mindset has to be broken. #scitlap
I have a makerbot mini. I love it. Use it for incentives - kids can earn the privilege to make something. Tinkercad is fun, challenging for the under 3rd grade set. #scitlap
A6: From doing a Maker Corner with K-5 my challenges are: caps not on markers, construction paper scraps everywhere. Running out of everything. #scitlap
A6: Now I use my science time. Rarely my math time. Gotta know my content strands to really make it work. Before I’d just do it with no regard. #scitlap
A6 I think the big answer here is going to be the mess, and the storage for that mess. A room dedicated just to makerspace would be perfection! #scitlap
True - I think I'm thinking bigger, like a project space (colleague's idea). Makerspace + art room + whatever. For instance it would be a great place for a green screen studio. I could have used it today! #scitlap
I have a collapsible green screen with green fabric from a fabric store. The kids do amazing things with it...when I remember to get it out. https://t.co/10QTJJpg0Z#scitlap
great question not being in a classroom b/c I am a district specialist - haven't dabbled in this but if I did I could imagine a SCAMPER challenge where Sts try to take an ordinary object and transform it in some fashion such as magnify, minimize, repurpose etc. #scitlap
Jesse as a prep specialist, I've had a MakerSpace (Corner) for 3 years. This year, I see other teachers doing Makerspace activities in their classrooms! It spread organically! #scitlap
Creating an aquaponic system from scratch last yr. The life changing part was noticing that a timid girl with autism joined all my hands on activities. #scitlap
A8 Been thinking about LCLs and environmentalism. The city recently put a landfill next to our school (I can see it from my room). We need to think grass roots, local efforts can make a difference. Not sure the complete message I want to send yet. #scitlap
Make sure you have the time or IT support to trouble shoot. And do Your homework to make sure you get the device that most matches your goals. Great learning possibilities, but steep trouble shooting leaning curve! #scitlap
Please plan to join us again next week for #scitlap... New connections=new innovations! Does that make @Twitter the #makerspace of teachers? 1/31 8PM CST
Hey #scitlap ! Sorry to keep missing you all. My life had been crazy. If anyone knows of a school that #tlap s, I'm exploring next steps and new directions for my career and life
