Welcoming Newcomers to Makerspaces

Abstract

This article provides several self-guided, simple, creative activities to help learners gain familiarity and create with maker tools. Activities center around four categories: low technology, paper circuitry, Sphero robotics, and Cricut cutting machines. Learners use maker resources to build animals, construct LED bracelets or lanterns, code sirens, design stickers, and more. Although the intended audience for this article was undergraduate preservice teachers, most activities have also been completed by students in grades 3-8. Because materials differ by activity, they are presented in each activity.