Expert makers from the community will be an important part of our media center makerspace. In conjunction with our Maker Days and Maker Challenges, experts will be invited to spend time in the media center as they collaborate with teachers and students. They will be able to support people as they explore new tools and highlight relevant making and innovation in the real world. It will also be essential that we build relationships with these makers as our students look for support when attempting more complex and deep making in the makerspace.
Wether they are from nearby WPI or the new WorcShop in Worcester, MA, we will be forging connections with area makers. Finding appropriate people to act as experts can feel like a daunting task, but in my experience, most people are eager to support our learners. Each time that I connected with an expert through Skype or in person, they have always thanked me. They genuinely enjoy the opportunity.
But where do you find them?
It is always helpful to have on hand a database of parents who are willing to share their various kinds of expertise. This can be created through a beginning of the year survey. Apart from questions about their personal and professional expertise, it is important to ask their preferred method of contact, if they are willing to speak to classes that do not include their child, if they are available to come to the school during school hours, and if they have any useful contacts with other experts.
After referring to a parent database, I often do an internet search. If you want an expert to come in person, restrict your search to people in your area, but if you are willing to Skype, you can expand the possible connections. I search for relevant businesses, university programs, or non profit organizations. After crafting an email, I usually send out a request to at least twice the number of experts that I want. For instance, if I want 2 experts in graphic design, I will contact at least four. It is not a perfect science, but has usually been successful with me in the past.
Here are some of my favorite go to resources:
StemFire.com - They have a database of STEM professionals willing to connect with schools. You have to sign up for an educator login here.
Skype in the Classroom (Part of Microsoft Education) - You can plan a mystery Skype, do a virtual field trip, or find expert guest speakers. You need a Microsoft or Skype login.
NASA Digital Learning Network - NASA offers a ton of interactive video conference lessons from their bases across the country. This is a phenomenal resource, but requires a bit more of a tech set up than Skype, so you will definitely need to collaborate with the tech department at your school.
Wether they are from nearby WPI or the new WorcShop in Worcester, MA, we will be forging connections with area makers. Finding appropriate people to act as experts can feel like a daunting task, but in my experience, most people are eager to support our learners. Each time that I connected with an expert through Skype or in person, they have always thanked me. They genuinely enjoy the opportunity.
But where do you find them?
It is always helpful to have on hand a database of parents who are willing to share their various kinds of expertise. This can be created through a beginning of the year survey. Apart from questions about their personal and professional expertise, it is important to ask their preferred method of contact, if they are willing to speak to classes that do not include their child, if they are available to come to the school during school hours, and if they have any useful contacts with other experts.
After referring to a parent database, I often do an internet search. If you want an expert to come in person, restrict your search to people in your area, but if you are willing to Skype, you can expand the possible connections. I search for relevant businesses, university programs, or non profit organizations. After crafting an email, I usually send out a request to at least twice the number of experts that I want. For instance, if I want 2 experts in graphic design, I will contact at least four. It is not a perfect science, but has usually been successful with me in the past.
Here are some of my favorite go to resources:
StemFire.com - They have a database of STEM professionals willing to connect with schools. You have to sign up for an educator login here.
Skype in the Classroom (Part of Microsoft Education) - You can plan a mystery Skype, do a virtual field trip, or find expert guest speakers. You need a Microsoft or Skype login.
NASA Digital Learning Network - NASA offers a ton of interactive video conference lessons from their bases across the country. This is a phenomenal resource, but requires a bit more of a tech set up than Skype, so you will definitely need to collaborate with the tech department at your school.