Guest Blogger - Jane Schissel

Mobile Maker Kits: Feeding Curiosity and Imagination

Jane Schissel, Teacher Librarian, Broomfield High School

"...Makerspaces run the gamut."

One of the takeaways (and there were many) I have from hosting a Mobile Maker Kit is my own slight paradigm shift around the concept of a MakerSpace. Some of our students at Broomfield High gravitated toward the components in the Mobile Maker Kit (MMK). Some students did not seem the least bit interested in the MMK. As I observed the mixed reaction, I began to consider the larger role of Makerspaces in my Library. I had a heightened realization that while I do not gravitate to robotics, I would definitely gravitate to card-making, building with Keva planks or video-editing. Currently, there is a segment of the population that equates Makerspaces with only robotics or high-tech activities. Over the years, I have attended a few Maker-Faires (including the Denver Mini-Maker Faire in 2015 with Louise Shorter) and my takeaway has consistently been that Makerspaces run the gamut.

"My job is to find and provide the best for my population regardless of personal preference."

While hosting the MMK, I started thinking of the MMK components and Makerspaces, in general, as a type of genre. I love to read. At the same time, not every genre draws me in. I would walk past the latest and most popular Sci-Fi novel without so much as pausing while on my way to Historical Fiction. I wouldn’t be able to pass by the Horror section fast enough on my way to reach the latest book Malcolm Gladwell book. I love to read. I don’t love all types of books equally. However, I don’t have to love all types of books to make sure I provide the best in every genre for my population. The same is true for Makerspaces. I don’t have to have an affinity for every Ozobot or Zombonitron that comes my way to appreciate their importance. My job is to find and provide the best for my population regardless of personal preference.

"I look forward to “adding another genre” to my library."

I support Makerspaces. I want to make sure we have the best MakerSpace possible even if what is in the MakerSpace does not appeal to me personally. I have a responsibility to make sure that there is enough variety in the MakerSpace to appeal to our diverse population. I do the same with books. For me, this movement to create a MakerSpace at Broomfield High is about creating an additional space for students to feed their curiosity and nurture their imagination. Einstein spoke to the importance of imagination. Steve Jobs spoke to the importance of imagination. As a librarian, I also speak to the importance of imagination. I look forward to “adding another genre” to my library which will indisputably feed the imagination of teens and teachers alike.