On Thursday December 27th, a group of creative educators gathered at PS 84 to explore Maker Education at the MNBO’s Maker Ed Edcamp. Teacher-run workshops included Web design, cardboard construction, basic knitting, 3D Design, Egyptian jewelry making, and book making. Shavon Glover from UA Academy for Futures Leaders attended a 3D Printing workshop the day before. “I enjoyed all aspects of each workshop,” she said, “each workshop added to how I can create a makerspace for my students.”

 

Emily Cullen from PS 185 enjoyed being able to move about to sessions that interested her. “It was most helpful that I could move around, chart out my own plan for the day.”

 

Throughout the day conversations were led on incorporating Makerspaces into school libraries, how to give students autonomy around Maker projects, and all the side conversations on how to bring creative opportunities to students. Earth School’s Rachel Levinsky was excited by the many ideas she got to use with her students.

 

A Maker Ed Edcamp Jr. was run by The Locke School’s Maker Ed teacher, Michael Columbus, with the help of his daughter Grace, and MNBO’s Uni Manni who said, “Everyone sharing in the making of things was most memorable.”

 

Meanwhile, in the auditorium a print off pitted four 3D Printers against each other (and the drafty auditorium). A MakerBot, Ultimaker, Flash Forge, and the build it yourself JellyBox were all amazing. A group of students built a JellyBox during the Print Off. While many educators wanted to get their hands on a 3D Printer, they also wanted more training and access to materials. Michael Croke from HS of Health Careers and Sciences found learning about 3D Printing helpful but, “I need more practice time.”

 

Overall the educators who attended Maker Ed Edcamp had a meaningful experience and wanted more. If you’d like to facilitate an Edcamp at your school or in your community check out the Edcamp resource page and let us know, we’d love Edcamps!