WHAT IS A MAKERLAB?

MakerLab, MakerSpace, HakerSpace, FabLab… Whatever you call it, they are all designed around the same principals, to get people using their hands to create. At MIS, we want to design a space where the whole community (students, teachers, parents, neighbours, etc.) can come to work on their own projects, with the tools, materials and support to turn their ideas into reality. It should also be a place where teachers can bring their classes or send smaller groups of students to visit and create projects physical products related to topics they are working on in class.

 

WHY DO WE NEED ONE AT MIS?

Nurturing, challenging and inspiring learners requires providing them with opportunities for self-directed learning. As part of our strategic plan, the Board and administration of MIS wish to develop plans for spaces, tools and personnel to support students in pursuing their individual passions and curiosity.

 

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT?

Mitch Norris, the middle school learning technology teacher at MIS has been selected to work with the whole community to lead and coordinate the pedagogical concept underpinning this development. He is working with administration, the building and grounds committee, teachers, students, parents and external experts to help create a truely spectacular space for the MIS community.

 

WHO WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE SPACE?

All students at MIS will have access to the MakerLab, mostly to work on their own individual projects, but also when integrated throughout the curriculum. It is planned to have a supervisor for the space so that students could be sent there in small groups to work on specific projects, or students could drop in when they had time through, before or after the school day.

 

WHEN WILL STUDENTS GET TIME TO USE THIS SPACE?

The staffing and use of the space has not been finalised, but there could be the opportunity for students to use it for individual, self driven tasks before and after school as well as during breaks. The space could be booked throughout the school day as a resource for teachers and specific class where appropriate to the unit they are studying. Teachers could also negotiate ways to send small groups to receive training and support from the MakerLab supervisor. Other MakerLabs also offer courses during weekends and public holidays, this could also be an option and a great way to invite the greater community onto the campus with us, making MIS a truely innovative learning hub in the region.

 

WHEN DO WE EXPECT IT TO BE READY?

We would love to launch the MIS MakerLab at the start of the 2017-2018 school year. However, a lot of this is out of our control. We need to get council approval so that we can get natural light into the basement of the LADC which also means we need to undergo a large construction plan. If we can get the project approved soon, we can start to plan for the construction during the summer break and get the MakerLab started in August 2017, but as you can see, we have to rely on many other aspects, companies and organisation to make this happen. We are optimistic, but also realistic, so let’s just wait and see.

 

WHAT CAN I DO TO GET INVOLVED?

Get in touch with us! The more input we get from all parts of the community the better. This needs to be something that everyone can use and have access to so we need your input. To get involved, reach out to MakerLab[at]mis-munich.de