Getting started with the process:
Step 1:
Identify interested staff members and invite them to be on the planning team.
Step 2:
Commit to a space! This seems obvious, but it is often difficult in a school as class sizes shift, etc. This is often the first barrier to overcome in developing a MakerSpace. Your space may be a whole room or a part of the room or a period of time in an otherwise busy room. Commit to something.
Step 3:
Share research links and ask the team to research and then brainstorm ideas for the space. You need to ensure that the ownership of the process is shared among the staff.
Step 4:
Use a shared document to identify starting materials for the space.
Step 5:
Plan for funding for the space. What grants are available? What resources are available in the community (ex. people who can build furniture, businesses who can help with materials, people who have expertise they can share)?
Step 6: Start your advertising campaign! You want all of your stakeholders to know what you are planning! See the fundraising links for ideas.
Step 7:
Plan for staffing. Spaces do not run themselves or keep organized without some assistance. Additionally, depending on the need for building capacity in your staff and students, you may need an instructor to help with project development.
Step 8:
Plan professional development. Your teachers will need some familiarity with the space prior to starting attending with their students. (link to our opening professional development plan, PD PowerPoint, PD reflections sheet, PD STEM ideas starter sheet)