Maker Education

By designing learning experiences with a wide variety of loose parts, teachers make room for conversations—and relationships—to flourish.

When kids collaborated on making a sensory path for their school, what started as an occupational therapy zone became a welcoming, playful space that benefited all students.

Middle school students can reprogram toys at maker events to develop a sense of the importance of persistence and problem-solving.

Makerspaces build students’ cognitive abilities while fostering independence, perseverance, and self-regulation.

Books that inspire students to turn materials like cardboard, wood, and fabric scraps into feats of engineering and resourcefulness.

Hallway bulletin boards are often created by teachers, but giving students more control nurtures their sense of belonging.

Emily Pilloton, Founder of Studio H, a design/build class at REALM Charter School and Girls Garage both in Berkeley, California, describes how she “knew there were things about architecture and design that could have a deep impact in the classroom.”

Combining science and literature can help students engage more deeply with both subjects.

Third graders designed a makerspace for their school. Then they got their budget approved and built it.

Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, has applications in the modern-day classroom for teaching geometry, thinking skills, fractions, problem solving, and fun science.

A school district uses monthly missions in its design studios to increase student and teacher engagement and foster self-directed learning.

An approach to defining and designing the right space for your school.

Turning abstract concepts like symbolism and imagery into 3D representations develops deeper understanding and engagement.

High school teachers can support engagement and innovation with STEAM and career-focused activities that tap into students’ curiosity.

All points of arts integration -- from benefits and implementation to linking the arts with core curriculum -- are covered in this roundup of useful Edutopia blog posts, articles, and videos.