Maker Project Skill Workshops

Spend a day learning digital fabrication (3D printers, laser cutters, Cricut cutters), electronics, physical computing and handcrafting tools and techniques through adaptable, engaging Maker projects that you can use with your students. Beginners welcome!​

Summer 2023 dates announcing soon!
​Be the first to know.
Learn to use popular Maker tools and materials to jumpstart Making in your classroom! Our Maker tools skills workshops are designed with the beginning Maker in mind, but all experience levels are welcome.

Our PD offerings are now being offered in our Makerspace at MIT and online at the same time. Those on site with us will use the tools and materials at the MIT Edgerton Center while remote participants will be advised of the necessary tools in advance and will be provided with program materials.
3-D Modeling and Printing
​​Learn and practice 3D printing, from solid modeling with Tinkercad, to prepping (slicing) models for print,  to changing filament and removing parts.  Learn strategies for the effective use of a 3-D printer with a classroom of students.  Practice with one of our sample projects and leave with an original print of your own. ​
​"Diane de-mystified 3D printers for me...it was great being able to ask all our uninformed questions, and have them translated (from vague language) and taken seriously."
Laser Cutter, Vinyl Cutter and 2-D Modeling
Learn and practice design for laser etching and cutting on Epilog and/or Dremel lasers.  Try out a simpler technology: vinyl/craft cutters.  Explore 2-D vector platforms and modeling techniques that allow you to use a variety of image sources. Get familiar with tool components, functionality, materials, and discuss the effective use of laser and vinyl cutters.  Make a couple of project samples to take home.
​"The sample box project using Gravit was great and sparked a few potential ideas for the classroom. We also plan on purchasing at least one vinyl cutter after seeing it in use."
Electronics
Learn and practice principles of electricity by building series and parallel circuits, with a variety of switches, LEDs, buzzers, and motors. Use soldering irons and multi-meters correctly. Figure out what components and wiring materials and tools are most appropriate for your students .  Build a take-home project and make a component display board for your classroom.
​"...really helped me make connections in my head and fill in the holes that were keeping me from understanding more than the most basic electronics.”
Physical Computing with Micro:bit
(not currently offered - micro:bit shortage!)
Meet the Micro:bit - a small computer board equipped with sensors, LEDs, pushbuttons, and outputs that can control electronic devices. The Micro:bit can be programmed with block or text based languages and is appropriate for students 4th grade and older. Learn and practice coding basics and get familiar with a variety of input and output devices while working through our tutorial projects. Take a home an extensive kit of starter materials. See our project samples used in the workshop.
Physical Computing with Arduino
Get introduced to the Arduino micro-contoller, a well-supported and versatile physical computing platform.  Use our tutorials to learn and practice coding basics and troubleshooting strategies.  Learn breadboard wiring, and explore the functionality of electronics devices including photocells, pushbuttons, relays, servo motors, and distance sensors.  Learn in a supportive environment adnd take home an extensive kit of starter materials.
Recommended for teachers of grades 9 and up.
​"A lot of things finally clicked, I'm feeling much more comfortable with the Arduino now..."
Maker Project Design and Craft Tools
After you and your students learn how to use the tools and tech, what happens next? This one-day experience gives you the opportunity to 
  • Test drive simple, hands-on activities that introduce teachers to Making
  • Design projects for any K-12 academic or special classes 
  • Receive instruction and practice with tools, materials, and techniques that are commonly used for prototyping along with digital fabrication tools.
  • Get a tour of our online resources to support your project design
​"...feedback from Diane was really helpful. Her suggestions to me pushed my thinking and forced me to be uncomfortable in my process of thinking about project design. This was super valuable!" 
Making with Music 1, 2
(not currently offered)
Explore music through simple, engaging hands-on project builds, and find new opportunities to connect it to your classroom. These workshops are based on activities we have led with students in our space and in a program we are developing in Chile.  No problems getting these kids to do the math, engineering, or building!  Take both classes or just one:
  • Class 1 - Sound Studio Find sounds all around you, and turn them into music.  How?  On Soundtrap - a free browser-based collaborative audio editing platform.  Learn how your students can create and present "sonic art" that is expressive and rich in meaning.  Music beginners welcome!  
  • Class 2 - DIY Acoustic  Learn a few basic carpentry skills to build melodic instruments from wood, and use your new creations to explore the theory and physics of music-making.  ​
Design and Operate a Makerspace, with Shop Tool Training
(not currently offered)
Explore resources for the design, layout, and safe operation of a Makerspace; receive instruction and practice with tools and materials (including a variety of hand tools and power tools, materials, and fasteners); review project samples and create your own.
Interested in PD for your school, district or program?
​Check out our new K-12 Maker Packages!
Answers to workshop FAQs
How do I register?
Registration forms and payment processing are hosted on the Edgerton Center website. If registration is not available yet, sign up for our newsletter to be notified when it opens.

How long are workshops?
Unless otherwise specified, all workshops run for one full day, 8:30am-2:30pm, with a 45 minute lunch break.

Cost:
For each one-day workshop, we charge $325/person. 

What's the class size?
Attendance is limited to 20 participants in person and 20 participants remote per session

I just missed a workshop - when is the next one? 
Subscribe to the K-12 MakerLab Newsletter to be the first to know when new workshop dates are added.

Can I sign up for just one? 
Yes! For one-day workshops, take only the courses you want - and take as many as you want.

​Where are the workshops? 
We run workshops at the Edgerton Center Student Project Lab on the 4th floor of building 4, room 4-409, and remotely via Zoom. Get directions and parking info from our Contact page.

I'm just starting out - can I still come? 
Workshops are designed with beginners in mind (though for Project Design, we very strongly recommend that participants have some prior experience with at least one Maker tool). Past participants have had resources ranging from portable carts to library Makerspaces to full-blown shops - and if you don't have a Makerspace yet, we are here to help! 

Are my students old enough for Making?
The workshops we offer were originally designed for teachers of students from grades 4 – 12, but students can start making in any grade. Many of our past participants teach grades K-5.

Is lunch included?
No, but we do offer light snacks throughout the day. There are a few good places to buy a meal within a 5 minute walk, and we have a kitchenette with fridge, toaster oven, and microwave for people who prefer to bring lunch.
Are there scholarships?
Our workshop fees help to support online and other resources that we provide for free, so we are unable to offer scholarships at this time. Some participants have been able to fund workshop fees from their school district, PTA, school educational foundation for teacher PD, or local university programs.

Will you come to our school / district?
Maybe! Check out our Maker Memberships or contact us for more details.​

What teachers like about K-12 Maker workshops:
Our staff members are experienced educators, passionate about the opportunities that maker technologies brings to the classroom. We emphasize hands-on practice and teach each technology through a simple maker project. Participants will leave with confidence, skills, resources, and new ideas for incorporating Maker tools into the classroom.  Here's what past participants say:

"Hands on - met us where we were at. The staff to participant ratio was awesome. Often in these types of settings, you wait a lot for help. This was really well planned out."

“Walking through a project together, rather than just talking about a project.”

"The willingness of the presenters to go above and beyond to ensure that I got the most out of the program was refreshing. They are very genuine and passionate."

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