Interested in starting STEM and STEAM centers in your classroom or library? Read on!
Last year I started Makerspaces in my library as a way to give my students more opportunities to be “hands-on” in their learning. (You can read about my Makerspace beginnings here.) I definitely learned a lot by jumping right in, and as with most things, found that some parts worked great while others needed some tweaking. At the end of the year, I did an informal survey with mainly 3rd through 5th grade asking them “What lesson/activity did you enjoy the most in the library” and MANY of them mentioned our Makerspace activities. I was super happy to hear that, and planned on continuing Makerspaces again this year.
Around the same time, I found out that my district was going to open a new elementary school this year, and it was going to be a STEM school. I went to several meetings about it, and was completely hooked in this concept! (It took me back to my days of teaching 3rd grade and all the inquiry-based projects I used to do with my students that integrated Science, Social Studies, and Math.) So, there I was at the beginning of summer, brainstorming ways to improve Makerspaces when it suddenly hit me! I remember it was like the skies cleared, the birds chirped, and the music exploded in my head all at the same time! A huge smile came across my face as I said to myself, “What if I combined my Makerspace activities with a STEM and STEAM focus?”
I immediately thought of my library and how I could rearrange things to make 5 clearly defined areas, near a wall, for each station. I moved some tables that I had up against the wall and made them go perpendicular instead. This would allow more students (up to 4-5) at each table instead of only 2-3 if the tables were flat against the wall. Then I looked at the wall above each table, and in my mind I could see posters that would state the STEAM concept, and give the kids an idea of the skills that they may use at that station. So that’s how I came to make these STEM and STEAM posters:
I made the main posters at Office Depot probably 16×20 but then made the “Challenge” sign a little smaller on cardstock and laminated them. That way, I can change out and rotate the activities, and can either write in the activity or tape the instructions on the sign.
After I hung up the posters, I wasn’t too happy…they just didn’t “POP” off the white-ish wall like I had hoped. So I went to Mardel and found posters to match the colors and put the posters behind the letters. THAT really helped, and I was so excited!
I also made some additional signs that combined all the concepts to post up around the library’s Makerspace area and some bookmarks to hand out to the students as reminders of activities we are doing in the library.
If you are interested in using these in your own library,
Update: I just added four new posters on the 4 C’s (Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking) to teach in conjunction with the STEAM concepts. I decided to make these all in purple so that they stand out against my other posters, but also show that they are related to each other.
If you are interested in using these in your own library,
I’m super excited about starting this new way of doing centers! I’ll keep you posted and update pictures on how things are going! What new things are you trying this year in your library? I’d love to hear from you!
Sandy
20 Responses to “STEM and STEAM Centers in the Library”
Shelley Young
I want to get started on the whole makerspace/STEM journey, but would like info about how you organize this. Do you still teach library “skills” is this just extra time the kids are in the library?
I am part of the Special’s rotation, so I see classes every 6 days for 50 minutes. In that time period, my lesson generally lasts 20-30 minutes and then they have time to check out books, read, draw, or go to Makerspace. I don’t always have Makerspace open…it is sometimes closed (like at the BOY until we talk about it and on days when I know my lesson may go longer.) In the first few rotations in the library, we talk about the Makerspace area and discuss it’s purpose, expectations, etc. On the first time that Makerspace is open, we quickly review the expectations and I remind them that if there is a chair open, then that station is open. I don’t have them on a scheduled rotation…they can move between activities as they want. I do usually leave my activities up for 2-3 rotations so that kids can get to all the stations over time. I also have “Maker Days” or “Tinker Days” where Makerspace IS my lesson…those usually coincide with other events like Hour of Code, Book Fair (when I’m trying to get decorations made/set up, etc.) I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
Sandy
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a realy well written article.I’ll make sure to bookmark it and retudn to read more of your useful information.Thanks for the post.
I will certainly return.
Nicce post. I was checking continuously thios blg and I am impressed!
Extremely useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for
such info much. I was looking for this particular info for a long time.
Thank youu and best of luck.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Didd yyou create this website yourself or did you hire someone
to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog annd would like to know where u got this from.
Thanks Everette! I designed the look and the color scheme but hired a web designer to create it for me. I used WebsyDaisy at http://websydaisy.com/ and highly recommend them! Good luck! 🙂
Sandy
Hi there! This article couldn’t be written much better!
Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this
article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment
but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
well I’m not writing alll that over again. Anyway,
just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Thank you for this amazing and oh so helpful information!!! This is my first year as a middle school librarian and I would LOVE to include MakerSpace STEAM activities as part of my 6th grade library classes. I was wondering if you gave your students challenges to meet? Also, did you use any Dollar Store actitivities? Thank you again for sharing this wonderful information!!!!!
Hi Judy! I’m so glad you found my blog helpful! 🙂 At this time, I don’t normally do challenges with the students….I leave most activities more open ended. There are times when I will put more specific directions (depending upon the activity) but usually it’s along the lines of “make something that has a purpose”…and then let them share what that purpose is. I want their creativity to come out, as well as their own imagination, and allowing them time to explore things and do that is more important to me. It’s also a time factor as they have only 10-15 minutes most days just due to our schedule. I do incorporate “Maker Days” throughout the year where there’s no specific library lesson, and they have the full 50 minutes to check out books and go to our Makerspace. That’s usually when I’ll put out a few more directed challenges. Most of the items I’ve purchased lately have gone through Amazon (to hit my more STEAM specific skills) such as: Circuit Mazes games and Snap circuits, Go Robot Mouse & Osmo (Coding and Genius), Building activities (K’nex, legos, TinkerToys), ThinkFun Math Dice, card games, Pattern Play, etc. But…I’ve also found cheap things at Oriental Trading and Dollar Store and Target’s dollar aisle as well! 🙂 I hope this helps! 🙂
Love, love, love your ideas!! I tried to read the original post about Markerspaces but it says the article is not available. I would love to read it if it is still available!
Thanks,
Kristin
Hi Kristin,
I’m glad you’re finding my blog posts helpful! I went and checked the link, and it should be working now. In case you still have trouble, here’s the link to my first blog about starting Makerspaces in my library (http://lessonsbysandy.com/2015/01/starting-a-makerspace-in-the-library.html). You can also use the search bar and type in “Makerspace” or whatever topic you’re interested in and it should pull up the blogs for you. 🙂 Thanks again!
Hello there! This iis my first visit to your blog!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project iin a
community in the saqme niche. Your blog provided
us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I want to get started on the whole makerspace/STEM journey, but would like info about how you organize this. Do you still teach library “skills” is this just extra time the kids are in the library?
Shelley,
I am part of the Special’s rotation, so I see classes every 6 days for 50 minutes. In that time period, my lesson generally lasts 20-30 minutes and then they have time to check out books, read, draw, or go to Makerspace. I don’t always have Makerspace open…it is sometimes closed (like at the BOY until we talk about it and on days when I know my lesson may go longer.) In the first few rotations in the library, we talk about the Makerspace area and discuss it’s purpose, expectations, etc. On the first time that Makerspace is open, we quickly review the expectations and I remind them that if there is a chair open, then that station is open. I don’t have them on a scheduled rotation…they can move between activities as they want. I do usually leave my activities up for 2-3 rotations so that kids can get to all the stations over time. I also have “Maker Days” or “Tinker Days” where Makerspace IS my lesson…those usually coincide with other events like Hour of Code, Book Fair (when I’m trying to get decorations made/set up, etc.) I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
Sandy
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a realy well written article.I’ll make sure to bookmark it and retudn to read more of your useful information.Thanks for the post.
I will certainly return.
Thanks! I’m glad you have found the information useful! 🙂
Nicce post. I was checking continuously thios blg and I am impressed!
Extremely useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for
such info much. I was looking for this particular info for a long time.
Thank youu and best of luck.
Thanks Margaret!
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Didd yyou create this website yourself or did you hire someone
to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog annd would like to know where u got this from.
cheers
Thanks Everette! I designed the look and the color scheme but hired a web designer to create it for me. I used WebsyDaisy at http://websydaisy.com/ and highly recommend them! Good luck! 🙂
Sandy
Hi there! This article couldn’t be written much better!
Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this
article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a great read.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Bailey!
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment
but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
well I’m not writing alll that over again. Anyway,
just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Thanks Jasmine! Sorry you had problems with your first post not showing up. 🙁
I like this weblog so much, saved too favorites.
Thanks! I’m glad you found it useful! 🙂
Thank you for this amazing and oh so helpful information!!! This is my first year as a middle school librarian and I would LOVE to include MakerSpace STEAM activities as part of my 6th grade library classes. I was wondering if you gave your students challenges to meet? Also, did you use any Dollar Store actitivities? Thank you again for sharing this wonderful information!!!!!
Hi Judy! I’m so glad you found my blog helpful! 🙂 At this time, I don’t normally do challenges with the students….I leave most activities more open ended. There are times when I will put more specific directions (depending upon the activity) but usually it’s along the lines of “make something that has a purpose”…and then let them share what that purpose is. I want their creativity to come out, as well as their own imagination, and allowing them time to explore things and do that is more important to me. It’s also a time factor as they have only 10-15 minutes most days just due to our schedule. I do incorporate “Maker Days” throughout the year where there’s no specific library lesson, and they have the full 50 minutes to check out books and go to our Makerspace. That’s usually when I’ll put out a few more directed challenges. Most of the items I’ve purchased lately have gone through Amazon (to hit my more STEAM specific skills) such as: Circuit Mazes games and Snap circuits, Go Robot Mouse & Osmo (Coding and Genius), Building activities (K’nex, legos, TinkerToys), ThinkFun Math Dice, card games, Pattern Play, etc. But…I’ve also found cheap things at Oriental Trading and Dollar Store and Target’s dollar aisle as well! 🙂 I hope this helps! 🙂
Love, love, love your ideas!! I tried to read the original post about Markerspaces but it says the article is not available. I would love to read it if it is still available!
Thanks,
Kristin
Hi Kristin,
I’m glad you’re finding my blog posts helpful! I went and checked the link, and it should be working now. In case you still have trouble, here’s the link to my first blog about starting Makerspaces in my library (http://lessonsbysandy.com/2015/01/starting-a-makerspace-in-the-library.html). You can also use the search bar and type in “Makerspace” or whatever topic you’re interested in and it should pull up the blogs for you. 🙂 Thanks again!
Hello there! This iis my first visit to your blog!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project iin a
community in the saqme niche. Your blog provided
us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
Thanks Violet! I’m glad you found my blog helpful! 🙂