As a fourth-grade teacher, Kim Germscheid’s focus was instilling in her students her love of literature and reading.
But three years ago, Germscheid did a 180 when she took on the role of elementary STEM educator, teaching K-4 science, technology, engineering and mathematics labs and supervising the school’s “Makerspace,” a room dedicated to self-directed learning and play.
Germscheid still uses literature in STEM though.
“Many of our challenges or projects are based on books like “Rosie Revere Engineer,” “If I Built a School” or “Hidden Figures,” so I still get to share my love of reading and good quality literature. I also use several books on Science Fair projects and things to do with recyclables and cardboard.”
Adjacent to the school’s media center, Makerspace is a room where elementary students discover, invent and problem solve using a variety of materials and machines.
In short: they use the room tinker, something kids do naturally. They build things; they take things apart, and they learn by doing it. Makerspace is an environment to encourage that process, Germscheid said.
“It’s project-based learning. It’s play. It’s what we used to do. We kind of got away from that, and now we’re circling back.”
Makerspace is meant to tap into multiple learning styles and intelligences, Germscheid said. The lab encourages high student engagement and allows for undiscovered passions and interests. Students are encouraged to take thoughtful risks, persist in problem solving, collaborate with others and engage in hands-on learning while developing 21st-century skills.
A first step in encouraging careers in STEM, learning in Makerspace can be high tech or low tech.
Serving the technology-driven end of the spectrum, the room is outfitted with a trio of 3D printers, a laser engraver, a Cricut (paper and sticker cutting) machine with a heat press, robots for learning about engineering and motion control, a programmable plastic mouse for teaching basic computer coding concepts, and kits for hands-on working with electronic circuits and gears.
“I had to learn so much in this position,” Germscheid said.
On the lower tech side, students use their hands and simple tools—like scissors and markers and paint brushes—to do their projects, some skewing towards the artistic while others are designed to be functional.
Materials on hand include cardboard, balloons, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, beads, pipe cleaners, tape, straws, playdough, clay, coffee filters, bottle caps, yarn, construction paper, cardboard tubes, recyclables and more. Many of the materials are donated by parents or other community members.
Working in Makerspace embraces failure as part of the learning process, Germscheid said.
“A lot of it is fail fast and figure it out: be a creative thinker, work with others and be a problem solver. Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication are skills kids are going to need for the future, whatever that may bring. I encourage students to think outside of the box, work together and communicate clearly.”
While elementary teachers reserve Makerspace for their students’ self-guided projects, Germscheid also teaches K-4 technology labs in the same room. Third graders, for example, are currently learning TinkerCad, an on-line program they use to create 3D designs that come to life on one of the room’s 3D printers.
“It teaches us designing, using your imagination, and thinking what you really like,” said third grader Lucas Baker.
Germscheid’s fellow elementary teachers can see how their students love having the time and materials just to explore, build and create.
Their observations are correct, Germscheid said.
“This is where the students want to be. They want to tinker; they want to learn; they want to play.”
Above: Third grader Marcella Gessner pulls a maze out of a 3D printer as classmates Dawson Maxfield watches.
STEM education Kim Germscheid helps third grader Lucas Baker with TinkerCad, an on-line design program.
Third grader Nova Hoisington dials in on her TinkerCad project. Beside her is classmate Brantley Thompson.
First grader Hazel Hunt works on a weaving project in the school’s Makerspace.”
First graders work on a self-directed project that includes balloons.