Starting a Makerspace? Your Beginner’s Guide

The truth is, you can set up a Makerspace almost anywhere, even temporarily after school in the library or cafeteria. Many schools are re-purposing existing spaces that are neglected or underused by the community. Re-purposing an existing space is a low-cost way to open the door to exciting new learning opportunities for students.

For example an outdated computer lab with clunky desktop computers could be transformed into a Makerspace by replacing old computers with tablets or laptops along with different making tools and fabrication materials. Recently, Ryan Park Elementary School of Indiana did just that and enjoyed results that surpassed their initial expectations. With a new and fully stocked Makerspace realized, both students and faculty are taking full advantage.

Designing a new School Makerspace or 21st Century Learning Environment?

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3) Get the right tools and materials

After you’ve locked down the perfect space, the next step is outfitting it with the tools, equipment, and materials your students need to start making and completing their projects.

One thing that the Makerspace Playbook makes clear right-off-the-bat is that, when it comes to the ideal tools and materials for a Makerspace, there is no perfect list.

A Makerspace doesn’t necessarily have to be complex in nature or feature expensive high-tech gadgets like 3D printers or tablets. Legos, blocks, duct tape and cardboard will suffice. More important than tools or equipment is an adherence to the overall ethos of Making, which embraces experimentation and creative learning.

Alluding to the uniqueness of Makerspaces, the playbook notes that “equipment lists are as individual as the space and its members.” While there are plenty of suggestions out there provided by the Making community, ultimately, it’s up to you to find the right tools and materials for students and faculty.

Regardless the defined purpose of your Makerspace, it’s best to start off by acquiring tools and materials for general use, rather than task-specific use such as metalworking or woodworking.

As the Makerspace Playbook notes, “there’s nothing lonelier than a big expensive tool lying unused because nobody knows how to use it.” Set your Makerspace in motion by starting with straightforward and affordable tools ahead of advanced and costly ones.

To brainstorm and come up with more ideas, consider taking a look at the High School Makerspace Tools and Materials Guide, created by Makerspace.com. Inside, you’ll find lists of recommended and suggested tools for all different types of Makerspace specializations including Electronics, Textiles, 3D Printing, Computers and General Purpose applications.

4) Provide Training and Support

Makerspace education is redefining both the way students learn and the way teachers instruct. For students to get the most out of the experience, a new kind of teacher is required. That being said, Making celebrates hands-on and learn-as-you-go education, so specialized training isn't necessarily needed to guide instruction in a Makerspace classroom.

The Makerspace Playbook sheds light on this:

Nobody who uses the space needs to be an expert, not even the teacher. The most important thing is to have a passion for and a curiosity about making in many different forms. Once you establish safety and basic competency, members can teach themselves what they need to know. We find that projects that a member is passionate about are one of the best motivators for learning.

Makerspace learning presents an opportunity to run classrooms differently. One useful way to think about a Makerspace instruction is to think of it as a sort of project management role. Makerspace projects are typically larger in scale and require teams to work together to accomplish a mutually agreed upon goal. In the design industry, Project Managers supervise teams and oversee a project’s “plans, risks, schedules, budget and conflicts” (Makerspace, 17).

Additionally, Project Managers “provide feedback on the quality of work done by their team.” An instructor’s purpose in a school makerspace is less about leading students or explicitly telling them what to do, and more about assisting them in their endeavors and aiming their efforts towards the general goal of innovation.

Furniture that Facilitates Making

When choosing your school Makerspace furniture, keep in mind the overall importance of community and collaboration in Making culture.

The design of your space should reflect an inclusive attitude and welcome everyone — including students with a broad range of abilities, backgrounds, skill levels, learning styles, ages, and characteristics.

Makerspaces foster innovation, so it is important that “individuals of all backgrounds and abilities can actively contribute to the [creative] design process,” according to a recent research article published by the University of Washington. The study advocates for a “participatory design where individuals of diverse backgrounds bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the design process.”

Tables, chairs, and other furniture in Makerspaces is typically mobile and readily moveable, “creating a flexible and accessible environment,” according to the research article. It’s a good idea to offer a variety of options regarding seating and tables— vary table heights and workspace surfaces to accommodate a broad range of physical student needs.

Smith System offers many tables and chairs with adjustable heights and optional casters that can be easily locked or unlocked. Along with desks, tables and chairs, it’s important to have easily accessible storage for projects and supplies. From laptops to Legos, Smith System offers storage solutions perfect for School Makerspace supplies and materials.

Here are some of our mobile furnishings and storage solutions recommended for School Makerspaces:

Interchange® Squiggle Tables: These tables have a curvilinear shape and can be grouped together to create collaborative pods. Also, they are a fantastic alternative to large rectangular tables and can save space.

Cascade® Mega Cabinet: Students in a Makerspace will inevitably need a place to store their projects between class periods. Along with that, instructors need somewhere to store class materials and tools while not in use. Smith System’s line of Cascade® Cabinets run from small to large and are available with either tote trays or shelves. They can be fitted with an array of different options to suit the vision of your school Makerspace.

Everything Cart: Smith System’s Everything Cart is designed for maximum versatility. Offering two shelves divided into six bins each. From markers and Legos to soldering irons and 3D printing materials, the Everything Cart can hold just about anything you might need for your makerspace. With dual-wheeled casters that won’t shimmy like single wheels, the cart can easily be moved to wherever the action is in your Makerspace.