Students Mentoring Students at Washington School

Washington Primary School third graders were excited to mentor kindergarteners in the building’s makerspace. They teamed up to plan, build, create and have discussions about their creations.

The youngsters were especially creative and stayed focused and on task throughout. “The two groups of students had such wonderful conversations during their time together and had so much fun that they requested to meet again soon,” Katie Kalkau said.

Just what is a makerspace? “A makerspace is a collaborative workplace that provides hands-on, creative ways for students to design, experiment, and invent as they engage with a variety of tools and technology,” according to Xavier University in Ohio. “Makerspaces are multidisciplinary in both approach and in the products created which fuels engagement and innovation. Students will learn how to utilize a wide range of hardware and software as a means to develop their creativity and critical thinking skills. Combining the frameworks of constructionism, the maker movement, design thinking, and media literacies, the makerspace gives students the opportunity take ownership of their learning and the physical space.”

Washington’s makerspace is a popular place and students are always excited to engage in activities there. Teachers find it valuable for a variety of lessons and objectives.

“Students will learn by making tangible objects through authentic, real-life learning opportunities that allow for a guided, collaborative process which incorporates peer feedback,” according to Xavier University. “From learning how use basic non-digital tools to printing 3D objects, students do not have to be “techy” to enjoy and benefit from using the makerspace.”