Maker Methodology

Our process for creating meaningful Maker experiences

Metodología Maker en español

About our Maker Methodology

In a Maker classroom, we empower our students to learn and create by helping them follow an open-ended design process. A design process can also be a powerful tool for teachers creating Maker projects - it's a reliable way to create and recreate projects that
​

• meet your learning goals
• fit your constraints
• ignite student enthusiasm
• help you grow professionally ​

​That's why we worked with other teachers to create and test our Maker Methodology - a teacher-friendly design process for creating, planning, and facilitating meaningful Maker projects. Our printable tools are available online for free at the website pages linked below.

Learn the Maker Methodology with a group of enthusiastic Maker educators 
Check out our 10-week Master Making in the Classroom PD for K-12 Educators

Steps of the Maker Methodology (for teachers)

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

​description for download
​Maker project design process for teachers

​description for download
​Design Process for student Maker projects

Outline of the Maker Methodology

Template  for this Outline

​Teachers Define

Teachers Discover

Teachers Design & Choose

​Teachers Plan

Teachers Deliver

Guide the students through these steps

Teachers Share (along with the students)

Teachers Reflect
​

Pick learning objectives and possible tools ​0 - Definition Template
​

Research existing projects and draw inspiration from them

Come up with ideas and choose one

Plan project details: activities, schedule, etc.
1. Project Overview Template
2. Lesson + Activity Planning Template
3. Maker Project Checklist

Students Define

Students Learn & Explore
​​
​

Students Design & Choose
​

Students Create

​Students
Observe and Improve
​

Students reflect

Los estudiantes Share 
(along with the teachers)

Learn the project requirements

Research the topic and possible ways to carry out the project, look at samples, learn how to use the tools, try things out.

Come up with several ideas and choose one

Plan the work, get materials, build the idea

Check your product with the requirements, identify things to improve, review with classmates, etc. 
​Loop back to Create!

Think and write about what you did and learned, etc

Share Show project results in and out of the classroom

​Teachers think and write about what they did and learned, and modifications for a future project, etc.

What is a Maker Project?​

​using cool tools

​to build

something creative of your own

with others

improving as you go

What do students get from doing a Maker project?

​using cool tools  ↣ tech skills

​to build  ↣ hands on thinking

something creative of your own ↣ ownership

with others​ ↣ collaboration

improving as you go ↣ iteration

How are students Making to LEARN and not just making STUFF?

​using cool tools  ↣ appropriate digital fab, electronics and tech tools

​to build  ↣ show examples, avoid detailed direct instruction

something creative of your own ↣ different products using the same tool

with others​ ↣ group projects or individual work in peer groups

improving as you go ↣ without iteration, it's just an activity

Essential parts of a successful Maker project