I am passionate about making my elementary school library for k-6 students become a place of creation, rather than just consumption, so I have purchased the items to create a makerspace. The materials include low tech items (origami paper, dowels, string, etc) as well as high tech (robots, circuit kits, 3d printers) materials. It is relatively easy to purchase the materials needed for a makerspace, however, the effective use of the makerspace program should be based on set goals, research, and input and feedback from both teachers and students.
For my action research, I would like to investigate the following question:
How can I run my library makerspace so that it is used effectively at all grade levels?
This action research is important because the role of the library and librarian in schools is continually shifting to meet the needs of students and teachers. The revised American Library Association Standards were released in the Fall of 2017, and focus on inquiry learning and equitable access. I hope my work will help others in making the shift to a maker culture.
Action Research takes place over time introducing well planned actions, collecting data, analyzing and reflecting on the outcomes which leads to new questions and new actions. These cycles continue and often after a few cycles, the researcher is ready to report their findings. On this site we developing our insight as we work so this is report that will be continually revised as I work.