Tag Archives: Makerspace

General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

National Week of Making

computer and notesGet ready to create! On June 17-23rd, the White House will celebrate the National Week of Making. Across the country, libraries, museums, schools, and other community spaces are encouraged to host events that promote new ideas and creations. The White House supports opportunities for students to learn through making, especially about STEM related topics. During the National Week of Making, the National Maker Faire also takes place at the University of District of Columbia on June 18th and 19th. The event will include federal agencies, departments, as well as makers from across the country.

Know someone who is empowering others to be makers and innovators? Nominate them to be selected as a Champion of Change!

You can also submit your new activities and suggestions to promote making in your community. Check out the Maker Map to find makerspaces in your area. You can contribute to the map and explore their maker resources.

Join the fun by using the hashtags #NationOfMakers and #WeekofMaking and connect with others!

Interested in makerspaces? Remember, CMLE has put together a wealth of information on the topic! Check it out here.

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/(William Iven), licensed under CC0 1.0

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Collections, events, and makerspace funding ideas!

Are you looking to update your school library collection? Maybe put on an event that promotes literacy, reading, or authors? Both of these opportunities come from AASL, but happily they do not require a membership. Read on for details and links to apply:

  • Inspire Collection Development Grant
    • This grant is intended to help public middle or high schools “extend, update, and diversify the book, online subscription and/or software collections” in order to increase student learning and achievement
    • Award amount: direct assistance grant capped at $5,000
    • Deadline: May 23, 2016
  • Inspire Special Event Grant
    • The goal of this grant is to assist public middle or high schools “create new or enhance educational activities in order to engage students within the library and to promote books, reading, literacy, and authors.”
    • Award amount: direct assistance grant capped at $2,000
    • Deadline: May 23, 2016

Have a great idea for a makerspace, or even just a classroom project? Check out these sites for grants to help fund your enterprise:

  • MakerSpace Lab Grants Page
    • This page features 16 different makerspace grant opportunities in amounts ranging from $500 – $75,000! They also have some non-monetary grants that award Adobe software and e-subscriptions to news services.
  • e-School News Funding Section
    • Check out this link to 14 different crowdfunding sites specifically geared towards classrooms. They also have some helpful tips before deciding on a site to use, which includes looking at who uses the platform, the pricing structure, and what features are included (in this case, less can be more.) Remember, there’s really no limit to how much you can raise!

Remember that CMLE wants to help fund your projects for your library, school or classroom! Check out our grants page here. 

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/, licensed under CC0 1.0

 

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Need makerspace ideas or gadgets?

Tecnologia - Technology (2)By now, you’ve probably heard about makerspaces. (If not, catch up here). Here at CMLE, we think they are pretty exciting. All the opportunities for hands-on learning and creation! But it’s easy to find the endless possibilities slightly overwhelming. Wondering where to start? CMLE has done that work for you! We’ve published a great deal about makerspaces, and want to share our wealth of knowledge! See below for ideas and inspiration, tools to use, and where to find makerspaces.

 

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/pkdbtf9, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Academic, Public, School Media Specialist

The latest in makerspace technology

Viewers passed the time with Play-DohAmerican Libraries Magazine recently reminded us that the South by Southwest Interactive event took place. Why should we care? Because this is the event where new technologies are highlighted, and with the recent makerspace interest and activities, lots of exciting new things were showcased. In fact, they featured an SXCreate space! I don’t want to steal Jason Griffey’s thunder, so read his final report to hear more about 3D printers from LulzBot, SparkFun educational kits, Makey Makey’s musical plants, and the Handibot, a programmable material-carving machine. Sounds fun, right? Give your makerspace a boost by reading the full post now.

Image credit: Photo by Patricia Post from 2015 Edible Book Festival makerspace activity.