Engaging Middle Schoolers in Makerspaces

3D Printing for Education: Engaging Middle Schoolers in Makerspaces

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Many of our makerspace clients are telling us that compared to several years ago, students have less knowledge and experience handling tools at home. While previous generations likely tinkered a little with hammers and nails, today's young people don't have access to this type of equipment regularly.

This can make it challenging to attract young teens into a makerspace. Following are some tips.

Create a welcoming environment

First impressions count. Use color, seating, and a layout that encourages students to explore. A mix of workbenches and desks can help, so students can work independently or on group projects. 

One principle of design is to create a sense of, "oh, there's more!" You might do this by having some equipment behind a half wall at the far end, with signage that can't quite be read from the front door. This piques curiosity and draws students in to see what it is.

Offer hands-on workshops

When you run workshops based on seasonal activities, you attract students in for their own reasons. For example, offer workshops in November and December to create specific gifts - let's say a laser-engraved wood cutting board. Students initially come because they want to make a present for Grandma, then they keep coming back because they have such a good first experience.

Gamification: level up!

More than 2/3 of students find themselves more engaged and motivated when gamification is used as part of the learning. Use challenges, competitions, and rewards to keep them enthused.

This doesn't have to be complicated. We've seen schools use a simple sticker chart, where students complete tasks by a certain day to earn a pizza lunch. Tasks include things like booking a tutorial with a teacher, or signing up for some type of extra-curricular activity.

Provide a variety of resources

One of the many reasons to love the whole makerspace movement is how flexible the parameters are. You don't need to have every gadget on the market.

On the other hand, you do want to provide enough that students don't get bored. This happens organically for many of our clients. The makerspace admin staff might see a good deal on more 3D printers, or get donated craft supplies or coding kits. This means students come to your makerspace eager to see what's new. 

As well as 3D printers, we've seen successful makerspaces with everything from laser cutters to robotics to wave simulation tanks, as well as hand tools, sewing supplies, and leather working utensils. 

This variety is key to creating an environment and a culture where students are eager to achieve. As one of our clients said, "They're learning, whether they know it or not!"

User groups for 3D printing

Our clients run dozens of 3D printers at a time, for hundreds of students. One piece of advice they always share is to take advantage of user groups within the 3DPrinterOS platform.

Obviously, this helps the makerspace admin to manage which students have access to the 3D printers. They can allow some students to 3D print independently if they've reached a certain level of proficiency, while younger or more inexperienced students might need a teacher to sign off on their design first.

But it also gives students an advantage. In a makerspace with 3DPrinterOS, all the different types of 3D printer are running on the same platform, so these young people have less of a learning curve as they become proficient at 3D printing. When they are assigned to user groups, they can understand what level of expertise they are, and what they need to do to move on to a more independent level. 

Showcase student projects

Getting recognized for something you've done is very satisfying. Create a wall of fame in your makerspace to spotlight student success. Bearing in mind that many of the projects will be going home, invest in a Polaroid camera to take photos for immediate display.

Peer support

If time and space allow, create some open time blocks where older students and younger students are both allowed in at the same time. We've seen middle schoolers watch and emulate older STEM students. While the older ones were working to project guidelines for a model airplane, the younger ones were drinking in all the discussions, and quietly creating their own versions.

It's so inspiring to see makerspaces becoming more common in the K12 setting, and we love being a tiny part of your students' success. Please book a demo to see how 3DPrinterOS can help make your makerspace run more effectively.

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