Creativity, Critical Thinking Top Benefits of Makerspaces
Schools without a makerspace or without plans to implement a makerspace are now in the minority. According to data pulled from the latest national Speak Up Survey from Project Tomorrow, a full 31 percent of schools already have a makerspace of some sort, and another 23 percent have plans to implement one.
Of those that have already implemented a makerspace, the vast majority — 71 percent — have it located in the school library or media center (Figure 1). About 23 percent have it located somewhere else. And the remainder characterizes their makerspace as "really just access to a 3D printer."
(https://steamuniverse.com/~/media/EDU/SteamUniverse/2018/20180724makerfig1.jpg)
Parents, district administrators and members of the community see maker spaces as valuable for college and career readiness (Figure 2). When asked, "What do you think is the best way for today's youth to acquire college & workplace skills?" a majority in all three groups named project-based learning and "building things in maker spaces" in their responses.
(https://steamuniverse.com/~/media/EDU/SteamUniverse/2018/20180724makerfig2.jpg)
Among those closest to the makerspaces in their schools — the library/media specialists — the top five benefits of makerspaces for student learning (Figure 3) included:
Developing creativity skills (81 percent)
Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills (80 percent)
Applying knowledge to practical problems (78 percent)
Collaborating with other students more
Gaining confidence in their abilities
Source: https://steamuniverse.com/articles/2018/07/24/creativity-critical-thinking-top-benefits-of-makerspaces.aspx