Maker Education Workshops

Developing a Maker Mindset

“If it’s broken, I can fix it. If it doesn’t work well, I can improve it. If I can’t find it, I can make it.” This way of thinking is representative of a maker mindset, which empowers people to take risks, focusing on creativity and experimentation. In this workshop, we introduce participants to the maker mindset, share why cultivating it is beneficial for students and staff alike, and provide practical suggestions for how to incorporate this ethos into classrooms and makerspaces. Participants will have time to engage in making during the workshop to experience the benefits first-hand. This one-day workshop is designed for educators who are trying to answer the question, “Why integrate making into the school day?” Participants will:

• Develop a definition of maker education and the opportunities it can provide learners
• Grow their understanding of and build their own rationale for incorporating maker education into their students’ experience
• Engage in making and reflect on their experience as a learner

Getting Started with Maker Education

During this workshop, participants will be introduced to Griffin MSI’s makerspace curriculum management system, the Belt and Grid. Participants will learn what the Belt and Grid is and ways to use it to activate an existing makerspace and support student engagement in making. The workshop also includes time to engage with analog materials using our Belt and Grid system to begin earning their own belts. This one-day workshop is designed for educators and makerspace facilitators that want to learn facilitation strategies and acquire resources to get started with maker education at their site. Participants will:

• Learn about instructional and assessment methods that promote and support a maker mindset
• Explore ways to get started with integrating maker education in your setting
• Explore and reflect on the ways Griffin MSI’s Belt and Grid system can be used to support skill building in a makerspace
• Practice technical skills needed to implement and maintain the Belt and Grid system for their users

Customizing Griffin MSI’s Belt and Grid

Utilizing our Belt and Grid system, Griffin MSI staff will pull back the curtain on our curriculum writing process. Our educators will demonstrate how we utilize the principles of backward design and project-based learning to provide a clear framework to help you construct new content or translate existing curriculum into Belt and Grid modules. Participants must take Getting Started with Maker Education before taking this workshop. This one-day workshop is designed for current Belt and Grid users that are ready to write their own curriculum modules in Belt form. Participants will have extended, supported work time to write during this workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring content or an idea they would like to translate into Belt form as a focus for their work time. Participants will:

• Review the principles of backwards design and unpacking complex content into a logical sequence of learning
• Practice breaking down a multi-faceted concept and translating it into Belts
• Translate their own content into Belts to use in their setting right away

Digital Fabrication Workshops

Equip your staff with technical proficiency through our focused workshops in 3D–printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, and digital embroidery. Each session follows a "student hat" philosophy, moving from open fabrication to deep dives into design software and essential basic equipment troubleshooting and maintenance. Digital fabrication modules include access to our scaffolded projects in Belt and Grid format. These one-day workshops are designed for individuals who desire to build their technical knowledge and skills in digital fabrication tool use and maintenance.

Strategic Planning and Design

Have you been dreaming about starting a makerspace in your school, library or community center? Griffin MSI can help you bring your ideas to life.

We begin with a virtual meeting to align with your vision, followed by a comprehensive site visit to assess your physical space. We collaborate with your team to identify how you’d like users to engage in the space and provide recommendations about equipment, materials and activities. This service can be combined with our training workshops to support the activation of your makerspace. For established makerspaces, we also offer consulting on how to expand or optimize the way your space is used and recommendations about equipment upgrades or additions. Note: While we specialize in tech integration, these services do not include advice or guidance pertaining to architectural needs, HVAC, electrical engineering, or ongoing equipment maintenance.

Cost: $1900, plus potential additional travel fees Duration: Up to 10 hours of support beyond the initial meeting