Makerspaces are spaces designed and dedicated to hands-on creativity and exploration, where people actually make something using a variety of tools and materials. These spaces allow learning to unfold and can foster collaboration, problem-solving and sharing among its users.
They often include production equipment, materials and crafting supplies, media production equipment, building toys, electronic/circuit kits, robotic/coding kits, and more! This guide includes some examples, but any products listed should not be considered an endorsement.
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Cut pre-determined, uniform shapes into papers.
Seal pages using either thermal or cold lamination.
Bind pages together into a book using plastic spines with 19 rings or 21 rings and a hole puncher that makes rectangular holes.
Create custom buttons.
Print small 3D objects based on input models. Helpful links: Thingiverse, Kathy Schrock - 3D printing in the classroom, and 3D Universe.
Prints beautiful multi-color photo quality posters. Some can print on vinyl in addition to paper.
Cuts intricate designs on paper or vinyl. Helpful links: Cricut blog, Cricut Back to School ideas, and Cricut in my classroom.
Engraves and cuts wood, acrylics, plastics, stone, and much more.
A handheld 3D printer which allows someone to draw sculptures.
Many makerspaces and libraries provide media production equipment and rooms that include:
Augmented and Virtual reality hardware and software
Prototyping toy for makers of all ages. Strawbees allows you to connect straws to each other and build small to large mechanical objects. Projects can be easily modified.
Geometric magnetic building toys for children. Building blocks contain neodymium magnets and have a patented “always attracting” contact point. Create complex or simple structures or vehicles using specific kits.
An easy to assemble, snap together toy that teaches students about modular design and geometric shapes. Great for developing engineering skills.
A building kit for hands-on free play and learning. It’s a collection of solid wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts and rope designed to engage the creative spirit in children.
A simple to use system of tools and connectors for re-purposing cardboard into everything from costumes to vehicles.
Wooden planks used for designing and building structures such as towers, bridges, catapults and more. Keva planks are a great solo or teamwork STEAM activity!
Explore up to 400+ lessons using Legos with everything you need from what sets you need to building instructions. Everything you need to make a great class.
Makes paper circuits that light up! It’s a friendly way to learn, design and create your own electronics.
Create circuits safely and easily by using conductive and insulating play dough. Fun way to teach the basics of electrical circuits.
Modular based parts that snap together to form a variety of circuits and projects. Use the provided guide to make items such as FM radios, voice recorders, alarms, doorbells and more.
Is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It’s intended for anyone making interactive projects. Arduino senses the environment by receiving inputs from sensors and can control lights, motors and actuators.
Educational toy that teaches kids how to build circuits, learn to code and be inventive. Kits include magnetic circuit blocks that snap together. Use the drag and drop programming interface to control your creations and creative projects.
These are electronic building blocks that connect using magnets. These blocks allow you to create inventions large and small. Each bit is color-coded and has a distinct function. Great for developing critical thinking and fostering teamwork.
An invention kit that turns everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet. It’s a simple invention kit for beginners and experts doing art, engineering, and everything in between.
Educational robots with the goal of making learning robotics easy, fun and open source. They offer a few different types of robots including Hexy the Hexapod and Sparki which was designed for use in classrooms. Learn about advanced robotics and servo operation.
Robot blocks that are connected together using magnets. Snap the robot blocks together and the magnetic faces do the rest. Every unique arrangement creates a new robot with different behaviors.
A hands-on platform for kids to build, collaborate and tell stories through video game creation.
Turn anything into a light-up, moving, sensing robot. Kits allow for the creation of everything from kinetic sculptures to animatronic robots. Included in some kits are LEDs, motors, servos and sensors.
A classroom robotics platform for middle school, high school and beyond. Used in robotics competitions, students can design and build a robot to play against other teams. It’s a great way to incorporate game-based engineering education.
