Making Dreams Happen

I’m puzzled by two movements in education. It’s not that I don’t agree with them, it’s that I don’t see how these two things ever got separated from our classrooms and learning. Maker Spaces and the addition of “A” in STEM. The two things in my mind? They are like peanut butter and jelly. Peas and carrots. Apple pie and ice cream. They just fit together. A “Maker Space” is about discovery, exploration, innovation, and figuring out how things work… it’s about creativity being a part of learning, along with problem solving, thinking, and inquiry. The “A” in STEM to add creative arts to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math reminds me that a maker space is all about creativity. When I look at the Saturn V rocket, a rocket that was able to launch into space, allow men to walk on the moon, and then safely return home, I wonder how creativity ever got lost in that equation. That’s science, technology, engineering, and math… but it’s also an amazing feat of creativity. I’m loving the maker movement that is sweeping the country and I’m glad that it’s becoming more common to see that “A” in STEAM. Learning is such a personal thing. It requires a connection, and providing kids the support and encouragement to get creative will help build those connections. Maybe one of your students will build the rocket that takes humans to Mars, or develop a surgical procedure that saves lives, or discover a passion for building computers. It’s not just about making “stuff,” it’s about making dreams happen, one day a time.