After a short research trip I decided to initiate a maker space at Collingwood College where my daughter attended primary school. The principal was very supportive and provided me with a space and some funds for purchase of basic tools.
I wanted to create a space with a difference, a space that harnessed young people's natural creativity and without resorting to the run-of-the-mill implementations i.e. 3d printers, robots, etc.
Resources in the form of discarded electronics were sourced from the community so the students had a great array of 'materials' to work with. THis came at no cost.
This all came at a time when the government of Australia (the UK and US as well) had initiated the Digital Technologies curriculum. Through my research and experience as a teacher and artist, I felt that the approach adopted above was important and necessary for engaging all students, not only those already engaged with technologies. This proved to be a successful decision and engaged children of both genders, parents and teachers.
