What Is a Makerspace & Why Are They Important?
Educators know the importance of providing their students with hands-on learning to improve creativity, critical thinking, and STEM or STEAM skills. After all, it’s hard to ignore the importance after a study found that students who didn’t engage in hands-on learning were 1.5 times more likely to fail a course than students who did. But the good part is there are many ways to provide hands-on learning experiences, with makerspaces being one of the top choices.
What is a makerspace?
A makerspace is a collaborative and hands-on learning environment specializing in STEM or STEAM activities. It’s a flexible space for students to explore, tinker, create, discover, invent and more! Professionals in the industry have also referred to makerspaces as tinkering labs, learning labs or STEM labs.
Makerspace Benefits
Considering creating a makerspace in your school? If you haven’t already been convinced, here are a few of the many benefits:
- Offers students an opportunity to create, innovate and explore
- Helps students develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Provides authentic, real-world learning experiences to help students develop real-world skills
- Exposes students to new opportunities like utilizing new tools and resources to reach a solution
- Promotes collaboration amongst peers
Makerspace Furniture Solutions
At Diversified Spaces, we’re big advocates of STEM and STEAM learning. That’s why we specialize in furniture for all skilled spaces – including versatile and mobile furniture for makerspaces. Take a look at our makerspace collection now!
If your school doesn’t already have a makerspace, it’s time. According to data from the latest national Speak Up Survey from Project Tomorrow, 31% of schools already have makerspaces of some sort while 23% have plans to implement one.
So, what are you waiting for? Let us help you create a collaborative learning space that promotes hands-on learning. Contact us today.
