Maker Education

So far in my teaching experience, I have taught two classes that were centered around making. The first class was project-based at Manor New Tech High School, where students needed to design and build a light fixture that relied on triangle congruence theorems. The second class was in Apprentice-Teaching at Lamar Middle School and Fine Arts Academy for 7th-grade Advanced Mathematics. This project incorporated much more student choice, which resulted in a wide range of finished products.

A blueprint design from a Manor New Tech student (PBI)

During my 2017 summer internship with MathHappens, I was able to participate in different Maker Ed. opportunities. On one occasion, I helped present navigational tools at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas. I was able to present a game that simulated the journey that the La Belle ship took in the 17-th century. This activity reinforced navigational knowledge and skills and helped students visualize the proportional distances that the famous ship traveled.

Other Experiences in Maker Education:

On another occasion, I had the opportunity to present alongside a faculty member in the math department at UT. This presentation was for a math teacher circle, and we presented on the Golden Ratio using materials that I had helped create with MathHappens.

Payton's Maker Lesson

The Goal:

Students chose their groups of 2 (one group of 3) and chose which criterion they wanted their project to have. Each lettered topic is one that the class had covered that semester.

Warm Up: Yourself on Paper

Students completed warm ups that helped them to see their creative expressions and the things that are meaningful to them. Then I showcased many projects I have made.

The Rubric:

Students were given rubrics along with their list of criteria to choose from.

The Making:

Students were given hand tools (screwdrivers, hammers, hot glue guns), power drills, nails, screws, wood blocks, recycled materials, fabric, sewing materials, box cutters, batteries, MakeyMakeys, copper tape, leds, various kinds of tape, paint, Chromebooks, and various craft supplies to use in making their projects. Students were encouraged to bring materials from home if they wanted to add something else to their projects.

Students stayed to work on their projects during lunch

Students using various tools and equipment

Students collaborating on their projects

Students researched more information for their project

Presentations and Modifications:

Students presented their projects at the end of the week. In this activity, each group member took a turn to present their group's project, with time to propose modifications in between each turn. While group members were not presenting, they were visiting other groups and filling out feedback forms.

Project with feedback

Prototype (left), final product (right) with feedback

Project disassembled (left) and assembled (right)

Student Reflections:

Students submitted a Google Form with their final reflections and evaluations of their contributions and their partner's. Below is one of the questions and some student responses.

My Reflection:

I really enjoyed implementing this lesson! Although I would make revisions in the future, I am happy with the process and the results. I loved seeing students try out new tools and learn new skills. I loved that I was able to help students learn how to use power tools and build circuits. I think that many students felt very empowered by this process, and I think that they learned things about themselves as makers and as students.

If I was to implement this lesson in the future, I would first set up the room differently in a way that would be more conducive to the making process by having materials organized and separated. I would also give more attention to placing student work stations so that there is plenty of room for students to make. I would include more opportunities for students to reflect throughout the process and evaluate the work of themselves and their partner. Additionally, I would institute a check-in system for each group to meet with me and display the criterion they chose and their plans to achieve that in their project.

Maker Resources:

Renovated Learning: A good starting place to begin establishing a makerspace
MakerEd: So many resources that are engaging for students!
Circuit Playground offers many tutorials to get started and create new projects
Makey Makey, similar resources as Circuit Playground

Equity, Access, and Diversity

In this middle school, making is not something that I have seen emphasized in the math classrooms. I know that there are some exceptionally creative students at this school, and I wanted to give all students the opportunity to express themselves as they "make" math. I also wanted to provide several different types of tools, materials, and project options to appeal to the diverse skills and interests represented in my classroom.

Every student has the ability to make things, and by providing all students with the tools they need to achieve their goals in a personally meaningful way, all students will meet success.