Makerspace in a Box

Description

Whether you call them makerspaces, hackerspaces or DIY spaces, the thought is the same. These are places where learners can tinker, explore, invent, and build. These spaces are great for encouraging creativity and hands-on learning.

With the current nationwide goal of social distancing, we are aiming to bring activities into the home. The first step is creating your own “Makerspace in a Box,” composed of common tools and materials found around the home. We encourage a selection that has both everyday items and unexpected materials. Working within this constraint boosts creativity and imagination.

Objectives

• Create a Plan. Maker activities may get messy, but with a plan, we hope to guide the transition from messy or all over the place, to organized chaos.
• Setting expectations. Guide discussions between youth and adults about setting expectations and ground rules for the new addition of a makerspace.

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Project Steps

These steps are suggestions for gathering your materials and setting expectations for your new makerspace. Remember, start with what you already have available!

Step 1

Choose a space that both the youth and adult can agree upon. Space will be needed to store the box and space will be needed to work.

Step 2

Create and discuss expectations and ground rules for your new makerspace box and work area. Here are some things to consider:

• How can we keep our maker box and space organized?
• When is it ok to work on maker activities?
• Who has to be present during these activities or is independent work okay?
• What are the rules regarding painting, hot glue, glitter or any other potentially messy activities?
• What is the cleanup plan?

Step 3

Use the following list to take inventory on the supplies you have and or may need to easily complete your DHF Daily Digi Challenges!

Recyclables

• Cardboard
• Egg Cartons
• Toilet Paper Rolls/Paper Towel Rolls
• Plastic Containers (Soda, Water – bottles are great!)
• Aluminum Foil Rolls
• Coffee Filters
• Pipe Cleaners

Arts & Crafts

• Crayons
• Markers
• Pens
• Pencils
• Colored Pencils
• Paper – Assorted is great!
• Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Glitter
• Beads
• yarn
• Sewing Supplies
• Fabric Materials

Adhesives

• Masking Tape
• Duck Tape
• Electrical Tape
• Wood Glue
• Craft Glue
• Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue Sticks

Tools

• Scissors
• Hammers
• Stapler & Staples
• Flathead Screwdriver & Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Screws
• Nails
• Washers

Hidden Treasures

• Blocks
• Lego Pieces
• Game Pieces

Safety and Cleanup

• Wipes
• Gloves

Step 4

Don’t worry about what you don’t have! Use the link below to share with us what you are missing. This will allow us the opportunity to have confidence in providing activities that require materials you actually have. We are also exploring ways to get some materials for you all.

Makerspace Material Needs Survey