Though makerspaces are becoming more mainstream, creating and maintaining one could overwhelm educators who are starting from scratch.
Aside from the technology tools and other resources that make up the space, it’s wise to have a plan in terms of when students will use the space, how it will be shared, where funding will come from, and how students will demonstrate what they are learning.
A makerspace is loosely defined as an area in which people–in this case, students and educators–use creativity, technology and computing to work on different projects and ideas, said October Smith, the K-12 science coordinator in Lamar Consolidated ISD, during a TCEA 2017 session.
Why the maker movement? People who want to make things and share those ideas and creations, Smith said.
“You’re all makers–you produce things each day,” Smith said. “Leonardo DaVinci was a maker. This is not something new. We just talk about it more now.”
(Next page: Tips for makerspace success)
Laura Ascione is the Editorial Director at eSchool Media. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland's prestigious Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Latest posts by Laura Ascione (see all) - Children learn best on paper: We need better technology, not less of it - July 13, 2026
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