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Explore resources, tools, and strategies for teaching STEM and STEAM. Discover innovative ideas to engage students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

maker space
STEM/STEAM

Create Your Makerspace with TCEA at ISTE 2017

by Susan Meyer
written by Susan Meyer

In a makerspace, an empty paper towel roll has the potential to become a musical instrument, a racetrack, a tool, or a building material. It can be a recreation of something that already exists in the world or a new invention that doesn’t yet. Likewise, a line of code on a screen can bring animated characters to life or give instructions to an industrious robot. Makers can sew, bead, adhere, connect, program, engineer, craft, and create. The only limit is the maker’s imagination.

Makerspaces give students the flexibility to problem solve without creative limitations. They provide them a safe space to fail, to learn from setbacks, and to set their own goals and measures for achievement. With this freedom, students can produce some incredible things and feel empowered by their own abilities.

Are you interested in starting a makerspace in your school, classroom, or library, but are not sure where to start? Seeing so many great ideas for makerspaces can make the concept seem exciting and rewarding…but also kind of intimidating. Join TCEA at the ISTE 2017 Conference & Expo to get a crash course in makerspaces. Whether you’re a newbie looking to dip your toe in the makerspace waters or an expert ready to refresh your established makerspace with some new ideas, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Makerspace Mayhem

On Saturday, June 24, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, TCEA will be hosting a unique, hands-on makerspace workshop and interactive playground at ISTE 2017. The event is tailored to all experience levels. You’ll learn how you can make a makerspace happen even if you have little storage, a small budget, or low access to tech. Participants will get to experience a variety of maker stations while learning the ins and outs of budgeting, best practices, and getting buy-in from key stakeholders. From no-tech to high-tech, you’ll leave with detailed ideas for creating a number of different maker stations sure to please your students and align to your curriculum.

You’ll also leave with a 40-card reference book that is a ready-to-use teaching resource to implement in your makerspace right away. The reference includes activities and ideas for creating with everything from re-purposed cardboard and low-cost craft materials to robotics and coding tools. This event requires special registration. Register here.

More About ISTE 2017

This year, the ISTE Conference & Expo takes place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio from June 25-28. At ISTE 2017, you’ll find cutting edge best practices and strategies provided by ed tech thought leaders. You’ll learn from innovative educators, key organizations, and the top ed tech companies and discover the newest technology and how to use it to shape teaching and learning.

The annual conference typically attracts over 18,000 attendees and industry representatives, including: teachers, technology coordinators, administrators, library media specialists, and policymakers. As an attendee, you’ll experience inspiring and thought-provoking keynotes, hundreds of sessions in a variety of formats, and a expo hall full of the latest and greatest in ed tech.

Register Now

If you haven’t yet planned your summer professional development, make sure to leave room for ISTE 2017. TCEA members can get a 25 percent discount on ISTE membership if they sign up by May 1. With your ISTE membership, you’ll get discounts on registration for the 2017 ISTE Conference & Expo. Learn more about registering for ISTE 2017 here.

We at TCEA hope to see you in San Antonio this summer with your maker hats on!

 

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genius hour
Content AreasEducational TrendsGood TeachingSTEM/STEAM

Getting Started with Genius Hour

by Dr. Bruce Ellis
written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

genius hour quoteThere’s been a lot of discussion over the last year about implementing genius hour in the classroom. Genius hour is the strategy of giving time for students to do self-directed learning on interests that they are passionate about. Google regularly provides employees 20 percent of their work week that can be devoted to “passion projects,” believing that this will better engage the staff and make them more excited about all of their work. There is nothing magical about the “20 percent” number; it’s more important that you give students some time for open-ended learning in which they can pursue their own interests. Here are a few resources to help you get started integrating this educational trend into your classroom.

YouTube Videos

Website Resources

Genius Hour Blogs

So how will you implement passion projects in your classroom? We’d love to hear your story. And if you have a great resource that you would like to share with our readers, please drop it in the comments section below.

 

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makers
STEM/STEAM

Makers Gonna Make Anywhere, Anyhow

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

My motto for making is Makers Gonna Make. But what happens if you have no space available to let students (and teachers) make? The good news is, makerspaces come in all different shapes and sizes. A makerspace can be a:

  • Spare classroom
  • Rolling cart
  • Corner of the library
  • Or no space at all

If you are a 1:1 campus or have access to computers, you can certainly have your students make. The projects below are perfect for a making experience which doesn’t need a physical space or storage for projects.

Google Slides Collaboration

Google Slides Flower Power title slide

Screenshot by author

I was inspired by Kasey Bell and her Collaborative Magnetic Poetry with Google Drawings for this first making project. How about using Google Slides and objects instead of Google Drawings and words? So the first holiday collaboration I created was Pumpkin Building for the TCEA Lunch and Learn in October 2015. Every slide had a pumpkin and everyone was able to decorate their Jack o’ Lantern with various eyes, noses, and mouths. I have gone a little crazy, so please check out other holiday themes here.

But it is now spring, so power up your students’ creativity with flowers. This is a great introduction to the drawing tools and a lesson in digital citizenship: respecting the digital work of others in a collaborative project. I would certainly have students explore the curve and scribble tool for their own flower designs. Make a copy here.

Breakout EDU

Breakout EDU is a very hot trend these days. It is an immersive games platform for learners of all ages. In Breakout EDU games, players work collaboratively to solve a series of critical thinking puzzles in order to open a locked box. Each Breakout EDU starter kit can be used to play hundreds of games. For more information on this platform, check out their site or this blog.

However, it is the splinter faction called Digital Breakout EDU that I want to draw your attention to for this making activity. Digital Breakout EDU has the same game principles as the original game with the wooden box and locks, but there is no physical component other than an Internet-connected device (preferably a laptop, Chromebook, or desktop computer.)

So let’s get back to making. I would have my students work through a few digital breakouts from this site  and then I would have them MAKE their own digital breakouts. Try the TCEA Digital Breakout I created for my Campus Technology Specialist certification participants. We had a fabulous time completing it, and this is a great way to dip your toes into the breakout pond.

If you need a hint, contact me at preimers@tcea.org.

Pixel Art by Eric Curts

My definition of  “pixel art”  is using a spreadsheet to color. All one needs to do is resize the rows and columns into small blocks and then use your paint bucket to fill in each cell. However, this process is very time consuming. But hold on; the wonderful Eric Curts has designed a ready-made template for this that uses conditional formatting.

PIXEL ART BLUEBONNET

Screenshot by author

This simply means that when you type a letter and press return/enter, the square will turn a color. I press a “k” and the cell turns green or I press a “p” and it turns purple. Eric has provided a free, 20-color pixel art template to get you started. Check out my bluebonnet pixel art masterpiece. =0)

Make a copy of the template

Eric’s full explanation of Pixel Art

Eric’s YouTube video on Pixel Art (start at 32:12)

Stop Motion Animation with Google Slides by Joy Kidd

Last May, I attended a session delivered by Joy Kidd, a science teacher from Prosper ISD. She uses Google Slides to create stop-motion-effect presentations without the use of a camera. This is such a cool and easy creation tool. The big takeaway (besides the resource of how-to directions, a stop-motion example, and curriculum connections) I heard her say:

  1. Students try to one-up each other on how many slides it takes to create their presentation.  “My deck is 125 slides.” Another student responds, “Well my deck has 181.”
  2. Her colleagues do not want her to teach this technique, because the kids constantly work on this project in their other classes.

The 5 Easy Steps to Create a Stop-Motion-Effect Presentation

  • Make a slide
  • Duplicate the slide
  • Make a change
  • Duplicate new slide
  • Make a change (you know rinse, repeat, rinse,  repeat…)

Joy’s presentation is very through and will get you up and running in no time. I have one thing to add:  use a hot-air balloon lifting off from the ground and rising up into the clouds for a demo.

Hopefully one of these ideas will get you and your students on the path to making. If you want a more concrete hands-on approach to making, I suggest a day at an upcoming TCEA Makers professional development session. Not only will you experience making with like-minded folks, but getting started, budgeting, assessment, and best practices will be covered. Check out the upcoming maker days at TCEA Headquarters in Austin and ISTE in June in San Antonio.

 

Featured image designed by TCEA

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3D design
STEM/STEAM

New 3D Design Contest

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

TCEA is pleased to announce a new opportunity for students to showcase their learning using technology in our 3D Design Contest. Open to students in grades 9-12 during its pilot year (2016-2017), teams will be tasked with identifying a real-world problem that currently is a limitation to an individual. Then, they will design a solution to that problem using 3D software.

The contest is intended to promote STEM activities for students and encourage them to solve problems with a systematic process. No 3D printer is required in order to enter, which provides a level playing field for all high school students.

The Engineering Design Process

Student teams will need to approach their problem working like a group of engineers and using the Engineering Design Process (EDP). The process is a particular course of action and sequence of operations intended to achieve a result or produce an outcome. EDP consists of the following steps:

  • Research3D design
  • Plan
  • Prototype
  • Document and Test
  • Commercialize

All teams will be responsible for keeping a logbook (digital version encouraged) where they record notes, ideas, sketches, and documents each time they meet. The logbook should describe in detail each step of the Engineering Design Process during the creation of their invention.

Public school students who do not have access to 3D software may receive free copies of SketchUp Pro from TCEA. The software is normally $495 per license, but is provided at no charge. Private schools may purchase copies of the software for as little as $15 per seat.

How Entries Will Be Judged

Judging criteria will be based on students presenting their step-by-step design process, as well as the documentation from their logbook. In addition, a one-minute (or less) presentation will be created by the team marketing their invention. A rubric will be used to judge the entries and will consist of the following categories:

  • Originality
  • Feasibility
  • Functionality
  • Sustainability

Half of the points possible in scoring will be based on the EDP logbook. Students should use the 3D Design Scoring Rubric as a guide for planning their project and presentation. NOTE: The design does not need to be printed out for contest entry, but teams may elect to print out prototypes throughout the process for their own use. Sponsors are invited to provide feedback on the rubric before it is finalized on February 28, 2017. You may view the rubric here and email comments to Holli Horton, TCEA Membership Chair.

3D Design Contest Rules

Students and sponsors will need to follow the rules below:

  • Teams will consist of one team sponsor and no more than four students. Students are not allowed to participate on more than one team.
  • The team sponsor must be an active TCEA member for the duration of the contest season.  
  • All teams are required to have a team name that meets common school standards.
  • All of the work for the contest must take place between March 1 and March 31, 2017.
  • The presentation may be in any format the team prefers as long as it takes no more than one minute to view. This could include video, PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi, or any other presentation tool. Any material that exceeds the one-minute limit will not be viewed or considered for judging.
  • Participants will sign a “Proof of Originality” form stating that their design was created solely by their team.
  • A campus may submit no more than one project for judging. If a school has more teams that want to participate, they are encouraged to hold their own local contest and submit the best entry to TCEA.
  • Again, no printed design is required for the contest.

Registering for the Contest

Registration for the contest is currently open and is $50 for each participating team. The top five designs will be announced in May and will be awarded trophies for their school and medals for each winning team member. We encourage you to register your team today!

For more information about the 3D Design Contest, please see details on our website.

 

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augmented reality
Educational TrendsSTEM/STEAM

Top Five Tips for Diving into AR/VR

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

The new frontier of augmented and virtual reality has all types of goodness it can bring to your content. Many educators are eager to dive into this pool, and with good reason: the possibilities are nearly endless. With this in mind, I thought I would share my top five tips for getting started with AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality). Some seem simple and obvious, but I have found these to be the steps you definitely don’t want to skip.

1. Read the Instructions

It seems silly to actually not only write that, but start with that tip. But AR/VR apps often have specific instructions that will make or break your success with the program. Be sure to peruse them to make sure you are doing everything required to have the best experience. Also, as a facilitator, it’s best if you read the instructions to know all of the ins and outs that could be asked about by students.

2. Locate Necessary Triggers

Most AR apps use triggers in order to create the experience. Sometimes, those triggers reside within the app, which requires a download and then a transfer process to print out. Or they may reside on a companion website, which also may require a download and print situation. Next, refer to step 1. You may see specific instructions on whether or not the trigger must be printed in color in order to work.

3. Don’t Be Device Dependent

Lots of people, especially when exploring VR, get very caught up in whether or not they have a Cardboard, a Vive, or a Viewmaster. Then their next step is what devices to use in those headsets, and how to get a class set. These are all valid questions, but I would challenge you to notice that the majority of VR apps are not device dependent, meaning that you can utilize them with a tablet or other mobile device without a viewer.  So don’t let the headset be a hindrance.

4. Be Aware and Share

This bit of advice could be a part of any educational tidbit. AR/VR (and really all educational technology) move fast. In the famous words of Ferris Bueller, “If you don’t stop and look around, you might miss it.” In that vein, utilize all of your resources, especially social media, to locate, follow, and stay current with what’s going on, what’s updated, and what’s coming soon. Along those lines, don’t horde remarkability. If you find something new, share it. If you see something cool, shout it out. As we all know, sharing is caring, and I guarantee if you share something out, you will get back something just as good, if not better, for your efforts.

5. Connect to the Content

I often say “A turtle on a skateboard is really cool, but what does it have to do with anything?” AR/VR is a similar case. Audiences and participants of AR/VR will be wowed with very little effort on your part; it will dazzle even some of the toughest to reach. But if it is not connected to the content, it will have very little impact on improving learning. You are the content expert and it’s up to you to help students make those connections. Apps and devices don’t make those connections; you do.

This blog was written by Kim Murphree, an educational technology trainer from Mansfield ISD. You can reach Kim on Twitter @murphree_kim.

 

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SketchUp Pro
Special NeedsSTEM/STEAM

Redesign That: SketchUp in Schools

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

“We’re going to redesign our Spot’s dog house this holiday break!”
“What do you have so far?” I asked. My colleague held out a legal pad, crude drawings marring the perfect yellow pages. If you’re going to be re-arranging a dog house or your living room to fit a Christmas tree, take a look at SketchUp Make and SketchUp Pro, available for free to K-12 public schools.

Get SketchUp

With a Google account, you can do the interior design work using the newly-released My.SketchUp.com. And if you want the full power of SketchUp Pro (a $695 value), fill out a short form through TCEA. Private schools can obtain SketchUp Pro EDU licenses for as low as $15 per seat per year.

Use SketchUp on Chromebooks, Windows, and Mac

Available for Mac and Windows computers, SketchUp Pro now comes as a web version usable on Chromebooks. What’s more, SketchUp Mobile Viewer ($13.99) allows SketchUp models to be viewed on the iPad.

As my colleague put it, “Google SketchUp is 3D modeling software that lets you create anything you can imagine. It’s powerful enough to build complex projects, yet is easy to learn and use.” Their work appears in SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse, which houses millions of models. Simple enough to use that grade 3 through adult learners rely on SketchUp for a variety of tasks. SketchUp can be integrated into different classes.

Make Creative TEKS Connections

Classes such as, art, science, history, geography, and math are just some of the perfect venues for learning with this free software. Some ideas of how you might want to use it in your classroom are available at TCEA’s SketchUp Resources. Curriculum projects can align to the Technology Applications:TEKS in Grade 6, such as defined below:

Creativity and Innovation: The student uses creative thinking and innovative processes to construct knowledge, generate new ideas, and create products. The student is expected to…
(C) explore complex systems or issues using models, simulations, and new technologies to make predictions, modify input, and review results

You can find teacher guides that provide specific models.

Explore More Features

For children with autism, Project Spectrum shares powerful examples of student creativity made possible. SketchUp Pro can also be used for 3D modeling and printing. Students can create designs in SketchUp, then save them as OBJ files. These can then be opened in your 3D printer’s software (e.g. Makerbot) and printed. Talk about authentic learning!

SketchUp Pro also supports design templates for 3D printing, making it a simple matter to create to scale. You can also export designs in 3D Warehouse to STL file format for 3D printing. Doing so helps clean up your design before beginning to print. Another neat feature involves interacting with holograms. Visualize design data and collaborate with others using SketchUp Pro with Microsoft Hololens.

Conclusion

SketchUp makes creating models for sharing, and printing. Prepare your children for the future and introduce them to it today!

Special thanks to Taylor and Brian Wright for sharing their use of SketchUp to create real structures via their blog.

 

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Minecraft
MicrosoftProfessional LearningSTEM/STEAM

Five Steps to Game-Based Learning with Minecraft

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

tceamee_gameboard

TCEA MEE Gameboard
(Get Full Sized PNG Image or Adobe PDF version)

Wondering how to effectively engage students in interactive learning? Before we explore five steps to game-based learning with Minecraft: Education Edition, let’s recall why engagement remains important. If students don’t care, they fail to learn. Some of the top ways to engage students include:

Project-Based, Gamified Learning

Minecraft, which is a game-based effort to engage and keep students focused on learning, taps into student enthusiasm about gaming. Even more important, it models cooperative learning that mirrors teams in the workplace. The skills they develop are the “glue that keep people working together” (source: Getting to Know Minecraft: Education Edition slideshow). Think of Minecraft as a giant, blank canvas, a genesis of divergent learning opportunities students can take advantage of. Minecraft: Education Edition (M:EE) brings a plethora of built-in opportunities ripe for written/video reflections on learning. Also, opportunities for flipped learning about relevant topics are embedded in project-based learning.

Getting Started Actions

People learn through observation, trial and error, and play-based practice. Minecraft’s open learning enables differentiation for students as they accomplish project-based tasks. These tasks are seldom accomplished in isolation. Like real life, they must be done in tandem with a committed team. Follow these steps to get started with M:EE in your school or district:

Step #1: Get your hardware and software licenses in order.Before you can get M:EE going in your classroom, you will need to ensure that your computers have Windows 10 or OS X “El Capitan.” Also, each machine will need an external mouse and every student will need an Office 365 account. These accounts are available through your school district’s Office 365 setup or via a free account.

Step #2: Install Minecraft: Education Edition on Windows 10 computers.To get M:EE ready to go on your Windows 10 or Mac OS X “El Capitan” computers, you will need to go to the M:EE web site. You will need your Office 365 account to get access to the software. Check out the M:EE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to get started. View this short installation guide with screenshots.

Step #3: Build familiarity with the game.You need to achieve some level of comfort with Minecraft: Education Edition. To help you, TCEA has created this M:EE Gameboard. (You can download a PDF of the M:EE Gameboard above.) There are various tutorials you can watch online at the web site. And here are M:EE online courses that will help build your comfort:

Video #1 – Learn to Play Minecraft: Get ready to jump into a Minecraft world. It will help you learn the controls you’ll need to play. Learn to move around, swim, climb, jump, and place and destroy blocks.
Video #2 – First Weeks of Learning: This is the introductory module for the Minecraft in Your Classroom course. Some teachers may wonder whether they should take the time to incorporate game-based learning into their already packed curriculum. In this module, you will learn (1) what type of learning environments result in the greatest retention by students and (2) how Minecraft Education Edition not only supports such learning environments, but creates a safe, risk-free learning space for students.
Video #3 – Building Blocks of Literacy: This panel explores how and why Minecraft is being used to encourage literacy through play. From artistic collaborations between literature and gaming to stimulating learning through role play and stories, to nurturing new voices and young storytellers, you will take a closer look at the ways Minecraft is inspiring a new generation of readers and writers.

Step #4: Learn key terms and tools in Minecraft: Education Edition. M:EE brings a wealth of specific classroom tools. These are intended to make the game less about surviving zombies, creepers, and griefing (e.g. destroying) and more about working together to externalize learning. Check this glossary available online.

Step #5: Plan your project-based lesson.There is a rich collection of M:EE lessons you can adapt for your own use! We will explore these in more detail in a future blog entry. For now, take a look at some of the ideas displayed in this TCEA TechNotes blog entry Amplifying Creativity: Minecraft Fairy Tales.

 

Did you know? TCEA is offering Introduction to Minecraft workshops throughout Texas. The first is January 23, 2017 in Pittsburg (Area 8). The second is February 27 in Edinburg (Area 1), and there is another on March 31st in Victoria (Area 3). Online course offerings will also soon be available! Sign up now to learn with a Minecraft Certified Trainer.

Conclusion

Technology can facilitate real-life learning through the presentation of ill-structured problems. Minecraft: Education Edition enables learners to create external thinking models as they work to solve those problems. This short guide should start you on a journey of discovery.

 

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CoSpaces
Online Tools and AppsSTEM/STEAM

Great New Creativity Tool

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

I’m always on the lookout for a new tool to use in the classroom. And I’m thrilled to get to share this one with you today. It’s called CoSpaces and is a completely free online platform that lets you build your own 3D spaces and even experience them in virtual reality. It’s one of the simplest VR creation tools that I’ve seen and it works on any device with a browser.

Creating with CoSpaces

Once you create a free account (with either Facebook or your email), you are ready to begin. No need to download and install software. You’re given a blank stage to fill. Choose from a library of objects and characters to fill the stage and then edit them to create your very own fantasy worlds. Drag and drop the images around the stage to place them exactly where you want them. You can also search for and use images you find online, like photos of your family, and add background sounds, such as music, to make the scene come alive. Once your creation is complete, you are able to share your world via a link.

There are lots of tutorials on how to build in CoSpaces available on YouTube here. There is also a gallery filled with creations from other builders that can give you additional ideas.

Experiencing What You’ve Created

While it is easiest to create the virtual world on a computer, you can access what has been created using any device. There is a free app for both Android and iOS. And CoSpaces works in virtual reality with any smartphone, the free CoSpaces app, and a VR headset. A list of recommended headsets is provided.

Classroom Uses

CoSpaces

CoSpaces DNA Model

I can see a ton of uses for this amazing product. Younger students can use it to build and explore their communities. Students can tell stories in 3D or illustrate what they’ve learned on a particular topic in science or math. Create a virtual exhibit about a particular period in history, an artist, or an element. Build 3D models of the human heart, the Eiffel Tower, or an ecosystem. Visually interpret a poem that they’ve read or a song that they listen to. Design an infographic depicting important data that they’ve gathered and analyzed. Create a VR greeting card. Or just see where their creativity takes them.

 

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STEM/STEAM

Magic Maker Christmas

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Around your home, you may have access to everything you need to create a magic maker Christmas holiday. Yet you may not be aware of some inexpensive technologies that can turn your home into Santa’s Toy Shop. And of course, these ideas also translate to the classroom quite well.

Build It!

  • KEVA Planks: Model construction creativity with KEVA Planks, cuboid wooden block toys for children. Explore STEM lessons at https://tinyurl.com/yes7f8m4
  • Play Well with Legos : Use legos to build marble runs, craft poetry bricks and more. And get Lego Digital Designer – https://tinyurl.com/ye4ehvec
  • Makedo Cardboard Kit : Use Makedo to make magical cardboard creations! Find out more at https://www.make.do


Make It Digital!

  • Ozobot : A tiny robot that makes coding approachable for youngsters! http://ozobot.com

Updated with fresh links and image as of December, 2021.

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LEGO wall
Educational TrendsLibrariesSTEM/STEAM

Making: Our Library’s LEGO Wall

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

This guest blog post was contributed by Dr. Mark Weems, librarian at Negley Elementary in Hays CISD. Mark is a maker and LEGO enthusiast.

The library at an elementary school offers endless opportunities for adventure and creativity. Thanks to our principal and PTA, a LEGO wall that measures 80” x 100” (rivaling the one at TCEA Headquarters) now serves as the visual centerpiece of our library at Negley Elementary in Hays CISD and is an integral part of our makerspace initiative.

From Inspiration to Construction

As much as I enjoy LEGOs and building, the inspiration for the LEGO wall came from a colleague. Darby Rodriguez, our enrichment teacher, attended a number of sessions on makerspaces at the TCEA Convention & Exposition last year. When she returned to campus, her excitement was infectious; she described several amazing possibilities she had discovered, including a LEGO wall. I loved the idea.

Our principal at Negley, Melody Crowther, thought that the LEGO wall fit well with her vision for our school; she encourages students to learn by exploring their interests and interacting with their environment. So with Ms. Crowther’s enthusiastic support and Mrs. Rodriquez’ inspiration, we developed a plan.

First, we sponsored a LEGO drive. Students donated their old LEGOs, and incentives were provided to classes that collected the most. By the end of the 2015-2016 school year, we had acquired a large number of bricks at no cost.

Over the summer, I attended a TCEA Makers workshop. I was able to view their LEGO wall, discuss makerspaces with librarians from all over and the very helpful TCEA staff, and discover other activities that would work well in our library makerspace. Peggy Reimers directed me to Diana Rendina’s blog Renovated Learning , whose post How to Build an Epic LEGO Wall includes a time-lapse video and just about everything else you’ll need to get started.

Putting the LEGO Wall Together

When this school year began, I spoke with Sharon Turner-Rushworth, our PTA president, about the LEGO wall. She recruited three excellent volunteers: Susan Santoro, Kristian Henderson Myers, and Kristian’s brother Joshua Henderson, the owner of Henderson Handyman Services. (You can imagine how relieved and happy I was to have an experienced carpenter for this job!)

Using the instructions we downloaded as a guide, we ordered Creative Builders 10” x 10” Building Brick Base Plates (from Amazon.com) and plywood, screws, and glue from Lowes. The wonderful PTA volunteers mentioned above came and constructed the wall in about four hours over a weekend.

Making LEGO Part of Our Library

Everyone is excited about the impressive green wall in the library. Teachers can sign their classes up to use it during designated makerspace times, and students can work on it when they visit the library. We anticipate many hours of fun and learning as our students explore and create with this very unique canvas, and it has also helped us draw interest for the Ozobots, puppets, and other options for making in our library.

 

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