Making in the community

The School of Education is involved in a new project exploring the value of a makerspace in a community setting.

EDU - MaKey - Woman and children playing
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Makerspaces are spaces in which users can tinker, hack and make using a variety of tools, including new technologies such as 3D printers.

The project is funded by the University of Sheffield as part of its public engagement agenda.

The project team, led by Professor Jackie Marsh, is examining the value of makerspaces for children's development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge, as well as their potential for enhancing creativity through a range of arts activities. This is an approach known as STEAM.

The value of taking this approach is that children who might not otherwise be interested in STEM learning may be motivated by an arts-based project.

The project will enable children to develop skills that are valuable for the digital age.

An after-school pop-up makerspace is being delivered at Broomhall Community Centre every Tuesday during school term times. Kisha Bradley, the Project Manager, is working with Helen Barber from the School of Education and a team of volunteers to ensure the makerspace is fun and engaging.

They plan activities every week around such themes as “Light and Colour”, “Making Music and Sound” and “Under the Sea”.

In the makerspace, children can learn to code, create electrical circuits, learn to use a vinyl cutter and 3D printer, and make a wide variety of objects.

The project will end on October 23rd with an exhibition and a visit from the Lord Mayor, who will present the children with an award for their hard work.

Contact details

Principal Investigator

Jackie Marsh

J.A.Marsh@sheffield.ac.uk

+44 114 222 8166

Project Manager

Kisha Bradley

l.bradley@sheffield.ac.uk

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