So, with a focus on an interest-driven, engaging activity, finding the links to the Australian Curriculum is routine.

Makerspaces provide opportunities for children to achieve learning outcomes of critical and creative thinking. The outcomes align directly with the Australian Curriculum’s guidelines in embedding General Capabilities in the curriculum. By engaging with capabilities in creative and critical thinking, students learn to develop and evaluate knowledge, analyse concepts and ideas, seek alternative possibilities, consider alternatives and find solutions to problems. ‘The general capabilities play a significant role in the Australian Curriculum in equipping young Australians to live and work successfully in the twenty-first century.’ (ACARA, v.8.3, 2017).

 

There are many Learning Areas that can provide opportunities to engage students in makerspace experiences, especially STEM and The Arts. Makerspaces can also be cross-curricula, but all should allow students to be creative. Many also provide the opportunity for students to work collaboratively. Creative thinking, analysing and evaluating are the three higher order thinking skills in Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. A makerspace can provide students with a potential to achieve these skills.

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Although there are many opportunities to incorporate makerspaces within a classroom setting, to fulfill regular curriculum objectives, makerspaces are often utilised as an extra-curricular activity, options program or a gifted and talented program.

 

Lauran Britton (2012) summarised the benefits of the makerspace movement in her article, Making Space for Creation, Not Just Consumption.

'Makerspaces can have a life-altering impact… typically, the spaces will:

• Foster play and exploration

• Facilitate informal learning opportunities

• Nurture peer-to-peer training

• Work with community members as true partners, not as users or patrons

• Develop a culture of creating as opposed to consuming.'

Students can be empowered to be life-long learners.

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Reference:

Britton, L. (2012, October 1). The Makings of maker Spaces, Part 1: Space for Creation, Not Just Consumption. Retrieved June, 1, 2017, from The Digital Shift: Library Journal at http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/10/public-services/the-makings-of-maker-spaces-part-1-space-for-creation-not-just-consumption/#_

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