STEAMmaker update: What makes a Maker?

From the Makerspace Playbook:

We want everybody who participates in a Makerspace to see themselves as Makers. What makes a Maker?

● Makers believe that if you can imagine it, you can make it. We see ourselves as more than consumers — we are productive; we are creative. Everyone is a Maker, and our world is what we make it.
● Makers seek out opportunities to learn to do new things, especially through hands-on, DIY (do-it- yourself) interactions.
● Makers surprise and delight those who see their projects, even though the projects can be a bit rough-edged, messy and, at times, over-stimulating. (Think punk rock.)
● Makers comprise a community of creative and technical people that help one another do better. They are open, inclusive, encouraging and generous in spirit.
● Makers are generally not in it for the money. This isn’t about filing patents or making a profit.
● At the same time, we’re not anti-commercial— Makers sometimes start businesses, and we celebrate that…but we don’t make it a focus as it would change the spirit of the movement.
● Makers celebrate other Makers — what they make, how they make it and the enthusiasm and passion that drives them.

You can download the entire Makerspace Playbook to learn how to set up your own school space for free! We encourage you to check it out!