Maker spaces

an led, a battery and some alligator leads

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paper circuit art w

What a fun few months it has been working with the children at St. Stephens Primary. The P-2 students were given a bunch of leds, batteries and alligator leads; the challenge was to make the led light up. The children’ curiosity stirred the intense engagement and provoked many discussions about circuits, conductors, the battery, alligator teeth and the strength required to squeeze open the alligator lead. Children at this age never cease to amaze. Given the time to play and explore for themselves, they are inquisitive, experimental and very creative; they discovered many things on their own with little assistance from the adults.

In the subsequent weeks, other materials were tested for their conductivity and aesthetic affordances, which eventually led to the discovery of some amazing art and the creation of their own works.

36th Interim Exhibition: Elephant in the Room

Global Makerspace and much more …

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What a busy month it has been in my work with makerspaces. I have had the pleasure of working with two international researchers (Klaus Thestrup & Anca Velicu) on the Melbourne chapter of the Global Makerspace, an experiment in connecting children from Denmark, the UK and Melbourne, Australia. Overall, a great experience and success if the response of the children can be taken as a measure of this, and thanks once again to the enthusiastic staff and students at St Stephens Primary School in Reservoir. My work with the children continues in a voluntary capacity for the rest of this year and hopefully next year too.

A video of an informal discussion with Klaus & Anca reflecting on this experience can be found here:

Other related work:

  • Presentation and workshop at YPRL future planning conference.

Inspiring to hear of the great initiatives of these libraries e.g. https://www.yprl.vic.gov.au/news/toy-and-learning-library/

  • Visit to Canterbury PS – my favourite Primary School makerspace.
  • Discussions with Yooralla for the creation of a makerspace in Fawkner
  • Visit and tour of Kilmore Secondary College to discuss their makerspace planning
  • Organising panel at Public Pedagogies Conference, with presentations from international and local makerspace experts. Please attend as it will be a fascinating two days: http://www.publicpedagogies.org/conference/
  • St Stephens commencement of makerspace activities to complement curriculum.
  • Visits to Templestowe College, Bundoora Secondary College and Mt Alexander Secondary College to discuss makerspaces and progressive pedagogy with principals and makerspace consultants
  • Connecting with like-minded educators and artists: Deborah Rodrigues  http://gluckworkshops.com/