Thesis: making for change
statement
What are makerspace facilitation strategies that utilize a critical pedagogical framework, and which are successful in informal museum settings with short-term visitors?
The term “makerspace” is often associated with computing, technology, or even an environment to create DIY art, but how can makerspaces be catalysts for social change? I am intrigued by makerspaces because of the chance to explore a variety of tools and materials, both commonplace and unfamiliar, and the opportunity for learning through questions. Witnessing makerspaces in action inspires me to push these ideas further. Due to our current political climate, I am interested in how the Maker Movement can further help us be mindful and active citizens. My research involves an investigation into makerspace facilitation strategies that are designed to have a critical lens, and could be successful in informal museum settings. I gathered research through interviews of facilitators and students, literature, personal making explorations, and site visits to makerspaces. I am strongly inspired by the social action makerspace in a lower east side community school. I have learned that successful facilitation comes from a content-driven, resource-oriented makerspace where social issues are made accessible to learners as they gain fluency of materials and knowledge around passion-based subject material. In a social action makerspace, projects should respond to a social issue and ultimately create change in society, just as PS188 students knitted plastic bag mats for the homeless this year. During these experiences, learners collaboratively construct knowledge through conversation, as well as build objects or ideas that could eventually lead to a more socially just future. |
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Criteria of sucess
This criteria of success is based on interviews, research of spaces, projects, institutions and facilitators. Realistically, all aspects of the criteria may be impossible to achieve within an informal museum setting with short-term visitors, however, each criterion is one step closer to providing a successful social action museum makerspace:
- Content-driven affinity space is created
- Promotes accessibility to complex or controversial social issues
- Promotes reflection of self and personal experiences
- Visitor projects are arranged through passion-based learning
- Fluency of tools and materials are gained
- Constructivism occurs: visitors construct knowledge around a social issue through dialogue with facilitator or other visitor(s)
- Conversations enhance visitor’s critical motivation and desire for change
- Constructionism occurs: learning by constructing a meaningful product
- The product responds to a social issue and ultimately enacts change in society
exhibition
Takeaway Book: Question Everything
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research
Case Study: PS188 the island school
All credit goes to Dr. Lewis Lahana and his students!!!
Please visit the Techbrarian website for information on his work and watch this video for social action makerspace projects completed this year.
Please visit the Techbrarian website for information on his work and watch this video for social action makerspace projects completed this year.
compilation of interview excerpts and makerspace footage
the children's museum of manhattan: art, Artists & You
Interview Transcripts
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social action artists
Click the photo to learn more about the artist project.