Makerspace
The WBMS Makerspace is a place where students can create, collaborate, and use critical thinking skills using various technologies and supplies that we have available. We have a 3d printer, a “Fix-it” table, Sphero balls, Legos, a huge supply of art materials, an area for music composition on the program Garageband, Snap circuits, Littlebits, Cubelets, robotics, claymation materials, and much more!! In addition, we offer special technology learning sessions on coding, 3d printing, sewing electronics, investigating the inside of laptops with technicians, and special activities throughout the school year.
We function in two roles for our students. Our first role is unstructured and it entails students experimenting, building, creating, and playing (yes, playing because that is how we all learn) with items that represent different learning strengths and interests (art, robotics, electricity, 3d printing, video creation, music creation, writing, etc.). Our second role is in classroom projects. Students use the materials to demonstrate mastery of a topic through non-traditional activities.
PROJECT CHOICES
Green Screen Video
Create your own backgrounds using PowerPoint or import pictures See below in "Teacher Resources" for the planning sheet. Student examples: Rainforest , Book Report . Additional Resources: https://www.smore.com/zs51f
Diorama
Build a diorama for a project using the supplies in our Makerspace. See below in “Teacher Resources” for the planning sheet. Student Examples: Check out the photo gallery below. Add Hydraulics using Syringes to make your project have movement or add electricity to your projects! Additional Resources: https://www.smore.com/qpx9n
Makey-Makey
Use the Makey-Makey to incorporate audio into a presentation. This project includes simple coding using Scratch that can be programmed to share facts, sounds, and much more!! See below in "Teacher Resources for the planning sheet. Student example: Book Report. Additional Resources/step-by-step directions: https://www.smore.com/4t3b5
Minecraft EDU
Build your project in an educational version of Minecraft. Student example: Animal Cell
Glogster
Use Glogster to create an online poster that includes video, images, music, links, etc. A short and simple tutorial is available here. Student examples: Savannah
Storyboard That
StoryboardThat is used to create comics, graphic novels, timelines, graphic organizers, and much more! Additional Resources: https://www.smore.com/hb1wu
Stopmotion Videos
Stopmotion videos can be made with Legos, clay, or regular paper/recyclable materials. Videos will be filmed on IPads or your laptop using a phone camera. For a Tutorial for stop-motion press here. Additional resources and examples: https://www.smore.com/8vf4t
3d Printing
Students use the program Tinkercad to create a virtual project. Files are then saved in a special format to be printed on our Makerbot 3D printer.
Hummingbird Kit
This robotic kit allows students to use simple coding of robotic pieces to incorporate movement, speech, lights, and sounds, into their project. So cool!! Check out these examples!
Little Bits
If you need an easier option for adding lights, sounds, movement into your project, try our Little Bits. Example
ThingLink
Create a virtual reality video, add links/text/video to an image.. and much more. Example
Chatterpix
Create a mashup with Chatterpix and IMovie to create a conversation between two animals, famous people, etc. Example
Teacher Resources
If you are coming to the Makerspace as a class, I highly recommend your students come prepared by filling out a planning sheet. Based on our experience, students who prepare ideas often have much better end products. They will also do a better job of completing their project in the allotted time.
Examples of GREAT planning sheets:
3d Planning Sheet, Audio Planning Sheet, and Video Planning Sheet (for Green Screen, Legomation, Stopmotion, Legomation) Minecraft Planning Sheet, Living Museum/Makey-Makey Planning Sheet
Blank Planning sheets: 3d model/Claymation, Audio Planning Sheet
Lesson Plans: Cell Project, Native American Project, Heat Loss Project