Creating a Community of Makers at River Ridge Elementary

The location of the Makerspace at River Ridge was a top priority. The school adopted a ‘hub and spoke’ mode of maker, which entailed creating a central space for collaboration and fabrication, along with mobile maker spaces, established along content areas and “neighborhood” grade levels.

By: Laylah Bulman, Education Strategist

Recently, I had the privilege of helping design and implement the new Innovation Lab at River Ridge Elementary, an accomplished and leading school in Leander ISD, near Austin, Texas. The school is led by Principal Shelley Roberts and Jennifer Passi, Instructional Coach, two educators who embrace the Maker Movement across all their classrooms. These leaders shared their vision of a community of makers, as young as five and extending into the parent and local community, coming together to further unleash learning and teaching. Together with UDT, we created a framework that scaffolded learning, from project to maker, entirely focused on the Texas Standards (TEKS) and Essential Units of Study identified by the school as foci for growth through the maker space.

The location of the Makerspace at River Ridge was a top priority. The school adopted a ‘hub and spoke’ mode of maker, which entailed creating a central space for collaboration and fabrication, along with mobile maker spaces, established along content areas and “neighborhood” grade levels. Location was not only flexible in terms of learning furniture, but the location of the maker was flexible to meet student and teachers where learning was authentic and contextual.

Moreover, the question of rubrics and assessment in Maker – often the most challenging aspect of Maker integration – was identified as a key pillar of their Maker framework. Maker demands student choice and open-ended outcomes. Learning how to scaffold learning into maker, from essential questions and units of study, moored in accountability standards, with rubrics that focused on process and critical thinking guided River Ridge throughout their Maker journey.

Reflecting to Plan

River Ridge, along with many schools that look to the STEM-infused Maker model as a framework for rigorous, engaged learning, are just beginning the process away from the models of old to adopting the highly-flexible, organic, collaborative, and tech-infused learning commons of today.

Infusing reflection prior to planning is perhaps the most consequential aspect to designing and sustaining a Makerspace and Maker Movement. As they now plan lessons and plan for the expansion of their Makerspaces, schools like River Ridge continue to evolve. Not all work is Maker – it may be a project that evolves into a sequenced PBL. By continuously reflecting on their purpose in their Makerspaces, they are redefining their spaces and the impact of students and teachers.

Whether in a classroom, mobile-maker hub, or fabricating in the maker space, learning here is transformative because students are acquiring skills that can be used in any environment.

Accomplish More With UDT

Get your custom solution in cybersecurity, lifecycle management, digital transformation and managed IT services. Connect with our team today.

More to explore

Crafting a Futureproof 1:1 Device Strategy for School Districts

In the evolving landscape of Education Technology, crafting a futureproof 1:1 device strategy is crucial. This strategy should link every student, teacher, and administrator experience with specific device specifications. The integration of educational apps into the curriculum can significantly enhance the learning environment. These apps, tailored to the needs of students, can provide interactive content, fostering a dynamic learning experience.

Optimizing Your K12 Tech Investments: Funding 1:1 Device Programs

This blog will guide school districts grappling with the financial and resource demands of implementing a successful 1:1 device program amid ongoing challenges of budget constraints and competing priorities. Our guided workbook, created in partnership with Intel, provides further support with personalized roadmap on “Pathways to Innovation: Building a Sustainable Digital Learning Environment”.

K12 Cybersecurity: How to Secure 1:1 Devices in Your School District

This blog post delves into the importance of security, cybersecurity, and data privacy in school districts implementing 1:1 device initiatives. It offers basic steps for evaluating, planning, and executing a security strategy. Our guided workbook, created in partnership with Intel, provides a personalized roadmap on “Pathways to Innovation: Building a Sustainable Digital Learning Environment”.

Lost & Stolen Devices are a Serious Data Security Threat—Here’s Why

Since the pandemic, remote and hybrid work has become the norm. While mobile devices and remote workstations have empowered great flexibility, it has also led to an increase in data security problems due to lost, misplaced, or stolen devices. Find out how remote and hybrid setups are contributing to this problem and how to protect yourself and your organization.

Ransomware Gangs Adding Pressure with ‘Swatting’ Attacks—Here’s What You Need to Know

Ransomware gangs are implementing new extortion tactics to encourage victims to pay up. Swatting is becoming an increasingly popular tactic. It involves calling law enforcement to falsely report a serious, in-progress crime triggering an extreme response such as an armed raid from the SWAT team. Explore how cybercriminals are using this tactic and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you.

Smishing Attacks are on the Rise—Here’s How To Keep Your Data Safe

Smishing attacks are on the rise, posing a significant threat to data security. Originating from a blend of SMS and Phishing, these attacks have seen a drastic increase since 2020. The widespread use of smishing attacks has persisted, with a lack of awareness being a major issue. Many view these as simple spam messages, unaware of the danger they pose. This blog aims to raise awareness about smishing and provide actionable insights to protect yourself and your organization.