Monthly Archives: October 2017

Chapters 4-5 Safety, Guidelines and 3D Printing

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Chapter 4, written by Kevin Delecki, and Chapter 5, Stephen M. Tafoya.

I believe that chapter 4 gives some good tips for safety in the makerspace. At this point I do not have anything more dangerous than a pair of scissors in my area. Safely using materials is always a concern. Even though I feel that my students should be able to handle using the small LEGOS I’m prepared to give my “never in your mouth” spiel. I have been considering using my Singer feather weight sewing machine. That would need to come with some definite instruction, guidance, and supervision as my students are 5-12.

Chapter 4 discusses power tools and laser cutters to name a few. While those really would tempt me, (I love using those items!) I’m not sure we’re ready for them in elementary school. If something like that came about I would need a permanent employee to supervise their use.

Chapter 5 led me into the world of 3D printing. I would love to try it. I’ve seen examples at the conferences I’ve gone to, but have never explored the websites that go with them. I did learn a lot about different types of file endings; it stand to reason that they would be different but so many!Examples are:.svg, .x3g, .stl, .obj, .thing. If we ever do venture into using a 3D printer this chapter is a good reference. It gives examples of different types of printers, how they work, materials needed, and care of the printer. I may have to explore using one; it sounds like fun.

Encouraging a Diverse Maker Culture; Chapter 3

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This chapter was written by by Amy Vecchinone, Deanna Brown, Gregory Brasier and Ann Delaney

After a wild open to our school year, influenced by Hurricane Harvey, I’m ready to get back on track with my readings of The Makerspace Librarian’s Sourcebook.  Today I read chapter 3 and I first felt it applied more to Academic or Public libraries.  But as I reread my notes, I’m thinking it makes some important suggestions.   A makerspace is all about engagement and empowerment.  (P. 51-52) Their purpose in a school library is to provide a place to experiment and be creative. I noted that the authors said on page 54, “Because there is no assessment in a makerspace, there is no blame if a project doesn’t work quite right.” This sentence reminded me that this is not about grades, that these spaces are places to learn to be more creative.

I was intrigued by the section entitled “The Digital Divide and Participatory Maker Culture”. It listed tiered levels of engagement: 1 introductory, 2 displays capacity to learn more, 3 identify selves as makers, 4 feel they belong in the makerspace, 5 volunteer or ambassador for the space, and 6 volunteer and take on responsibilities for the space. I can’t wait to begin introducing our students to our space and then encouraging them to continue to grow. The chapter discusses makers growing and becoming more skilled; I look forward to watching that happen!

The chapter also discusses including the community in the spaces.  I hadn’t really thought about asking the community for help, (Other than grants!) and using the community to help the makerspaces and makers themselves, grow! If I can bring in persons in our community who have certain skills, they can give students other ways to think about solutions. The more exposure to different skill sets, the better.

The spaces are supposed to help students discover skills, develop those skills and become empowered.  As the librarian I need to encourage students with “targeting questions” and help them learn to critically reflect on what they’ve learned, built, or/and discovered.  I’m thinking this is a bit like my art classes at the University of North Texas when we did critiques.  Critiques help you grow and learn how to be better!

I’m planning to introduce our makerspaces in a week.  I look forward to students involvement and I know there will be excitement.  However, I know I need to teach them how to take care of the space, respect the classes going on around the space, and learn what might occur in the space.  So much!  I’m hoping it will happen flawlessly so we can explore more.  I’m only in rotation the first 9 weeks and because of Hurricane Harvey, it’s 2 weeks shorter! So, we’ll get them started and then hope that some of our teachers will let me work with their class in the makerspace area.