A team from Shrewsbury High School is in the process of submitting a design for the CTE Makerspace Challenge from the US Department of Education. Whether or not we are awarded prizes, we feel strongly that our vision would be a powerful resource for the SHS community. As we work to make this vision a reality, we want to document our process through this blog.
I am Emily Bredberg, the library media specialist at SHS, and I will be coordinating this blog and our makerspace endeavors.
As we build this space, my mantra will be "Embrace the chaos." A makerspace can facilitate experimentation and innovation, but it will be messy. True innovation takes place when we let go of tight controls, and give students the opportunity to explore.
At it's essence, the school library promotes open access for personal and academic exploration. Makerspaces support this essential mission, but you have to abandon antiquated ideas of a quiet library filled with books. Makerspaces are messy and chaotic, as any deep exploration (including research) can be. In a library setting, versus a closed classroom, makerspaces are open to the entire student body as they explore their curiosities. It is a powerful experience, one that I think is well suited for a school library, but you have to... Embrace the Chaos.
I am Emily Bredberg, the library media specialist at SHS, and I will be coordinating this blog and our makerspace endeavors.
As we build this space, my mantra will be "Embrace the chaos." A makerspace can facilitate experimentation and innovation, but it will be messy. True innovation takes place when we let go of tight controls, and give students the opportunity to explore.
At it's essence, the school library promotes open access for personal and academic exploration. Makerspaces support this essential mission, but you have to abandon antiquated ideas of a quiet library filled with books. Makerspaces are messy and chaotic, as any deep exploration (including research) can be. In a library setting, versus a closed classroom, makerspaces are open to the entire student body as they explore their curiosities. It is a powerful experience, one that I think is well suited for a school library, but you have to... Embrace the Chaos.