MIT Edgerton Center. Build It, Learn It, Share It. MAKERSPACE RESOURCES FOR K-12 EDUCATORS MIT
  MAKERSPACE RESOURCES FOR K-12 EDUCATORS
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Design and Choose

After creating some project ideas, it can be tough to choose the best one for your needs. We offer 2 tools that can help you.
​(Hint - students can also use these tools when it's their turn to choose their own project idea.)
Design
Maker Mock-Up: A Tool for Creative Ideation

2 high school teachers brainstorm using the maker mockup card game
"...The card game was a real game changer in terms of pushing lessons into new places, and allowed for some really great collaborative ideas."
-Nicole Winters, Art Teacher, Littleton Middle School

Download and use this game with colleagues to start creative conversations about how and what your students can make. A deck of Maker Mock-Up cards includes Tool, Material, Object, and Focus cards. Here's how to use it:

Prep the deck - remove any cards with tools/materials you don’t have; shuffle each category separately.

Choose one subject card OR your content standard.
Deal one hand for the group:
  • 3 Material cards
  • 2 Tools cards
  • 1 Object card
  • 1 Focus card 
Combine cards to come up with 3+ ideas for projects
Or...make up your own rules! Leave out a Focus card, time your rounds, pitch competing ideas - make this game what you need it to be.
Choose
The Pro/Con list lets you consider important strengths and weaknesses quickly, but the criteria/constraints are not clearly defined
Picture
The Decision Matrix helps you discuss each project in depth - it lets you define and weight your criteria and constraints, and helps you rank ideas. Be prepared for your team discussion to take some time.
Picture
DOWNLOADS
MakerMockUp-instructions.pdf
File Size: 418 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

MakerMockUp-tools.pdf
File Size: 17 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

MakerMockUp-materials.pdf
File Size: 44 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

MakerMockUp-Object.pdf
File Size: 351 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

MakerMockUp-Focus.pdf
File Size: 194 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

5 teachers brainstorm using the Maker Mock-up card game
Our Maker Methodology
Click each step for information and downloadable planning tools.
  1. Define your learning goals for the project
  2. Discover other projects that can inspire your own
  3. Design and Choose your own Maker project ideas
  4. Plan the day-to-day details of your project 
  5. Deliver your plan - roll out the project and facilitate your students' work 
  6. Share your students' work with a larger community
  7. Reflect and refine improve your project plans

Contact Us

About Us
Accessibility
​Privacy
  • Home
    • Getting Started >
      • What is Making?
      • Types of Makerspaces
      • Goals
    • About Us
    • Contact
  • Run a Makerspace
    • Design Guide
    • Facilities and Storage
    • Tools and Materials
    • Training and Supervision
    • Staff, Hours and Scheduling
    • Events and Growth
  • Maker Tools
    • Shop Tools and Materials
    • Electronics
    • Physical Computing
    • 2D Modeling Software
    • Vinyl/Craft Cutters
    • Laser Cutting
    • 3D Design Tools
    • 3D Printing
    • Photo and Video
    • Sewing
  • Create Projects
    • Designing Maker Projects
    • Idea Gallery
    • FullSTEAM
  • Teacher PD
    • Teacher Training Workshops
    • Articles and Books