Presenting and Sharing Makerspace Knowledge and Tech Education

It may be summertime, but I’ve been busy. My ELA teachers asked me to present our All Songs PBL Podcast projects at the Texas Ignite conference.  It was great to share with Texas teachers how our collaboration led to authentic learning for students.  Visit the presentation here:

• ASCD’s Ignite Conference (June 2015) – Implementing Research and Writing with Podcasts (All Songs PBL)

Today, I was able to present ideas on starting your own makerspace to librarians on a national level with Makey Makey creator Jay Silver.  I had a great time discussing how to start, where to get money, and suggestions for programming and design challenges.  If you didn’t sign up for the workshop, I think they might do another in the fall. Plus, I have an article coming out soon about “How to Start Your own Makerspace from Scratch.” (Just a few weeks actually- so stay tuned!) Here is more information on the Lead the Change- Maker Workshop

• Library Journal- Lead the Change- Maker Workshop (June 2015)

Exciting National Publications

I’ve also had a pretty great month as far as publications go! My “Evolution of a Makerspace” article was published in School Library Journal. I was mentioned in the New York Times for my #bookfacefriday Instagramming: “Oh Those Clever Librarians, and their #Bookface”  (I changed the name of my Instagram so here is my current profile.) Plus, I was a contributor to the School Library Journal (Maker Issue) article: “Maker Bookshelf: A Starting Collection for Current and Aspiring Librarians” Plus, I finally got to collaborate with my NWP buddies, Donalyn Miller and Kerri Harris, on a Nerdy Book Club post.

Finally, a local paper came to Lamar Library the last day of school and did this great write up about winning the Scholastic/School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year Finalist award.  Journalist Sarah Bays even made a great Youtube video of me (and some of my aides) geeking out!

New Page up for Makerspace Curriculum

Last but definitely not least…. I’ve made a new page specifically on lessons created by me for your Makerspace! When I spoke today for Library Journal’s Maker Workshop, I mentioned that a year ago I played my first Makey Makey banana piano.  Now, I’ve got lessons published on their site! This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t tinkered alongside my students and worked at getting my brain “beyond the banana.” I suggested to #LTCMaker participants to start making and creating and writing their own lesson plans.  We can change education together. Let’s get Maker Education integrated with the curriculum! Start writing and start sharing. Here are some lessons I’ve written so you can collaborate with your teachers: https://colleengraves.org/maker-ed-lessons-by-resource/

(Now you go tinker, learn, and write your own to share with me!)