MakerSpace

The makerspace philosophy: Learn by doing with agency, heart, and purpose

Boys can dream, make, think and do in our new makerspace. Through the powerful and iterative process of imagining a problem, designing solutions, repeatedly building and testing, and accomplishing a solution that is shared with a larger audience, boys develop creative confidence, persistence, and purpose. By teaching students the problem-solving tools and habits of mind to be change-makers and problem-identifiers, students build empathy while developing twenty first century skills.

What it looks like at Fenn:

The makerspace, in its first year at Fenn, is used in a variety of ways to complement the strong academic and arts programs we already have.

Three programs are highlighted in the pictures below: The IDEA Program, Design Thinking and Curriculum Integration, and Co-curricular Opportunities.

To read more about the Makerspace, please see our most recent FENN Magazine spotlight.

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IDEA PROGRAM

Imagine, Design, Engineer, Accomplish: Boys can approach the makerspace project leader with an idea or a dream – and together they can work to make it happen. The teacher will provide mentorship, materials, and organizational support. The student will work independently (or with a small group of friends) to come up with an innovative solution to a real-world problem, or simply to follow his own curiosity. Last year, boys worked on 3D designs for trebuchets and kitchen tools, prototyped and refined a vacuum cannon that shot a ping pong ball across the room, and worked, in a group of six boys, to construct a drone!

Design Thinking and Curriculum Integration

Using design thinking students become problem-identifiers, tackling real world problems through the design process to engineer solutions that will be shared with a larger audience. Working with faculty to integrate the design thinking process into lessons from traditional Fenn classes is another goal of the makerspace. This space allows faculty to bring their classes to a room that has equipment that is too specialized to duplicate in every classroom. It has space that is meant for doing hands-on projects and creating new things.

Co-curricular Opportunities

Afterschool classes and Upper School Activity blocks will be held in this space, providing an opportunity for students to be taught how to use the tools in the makerspace, and tackle design and engineering challenges. For upper-schoolers, they have an hour long activity block twice a week where we can offer programming in the makerspace specifically for those who are interested in these activities. Afterschool activities will be offered to Lower and Middle School students who have an earlier end to their school day. See the Friday Fenn bulletin for more information and sign up details.

If you are interested in learning more about the makerspace and Design Thinking at Fenn, please contact Pauline MacLellan.

Check out our website for more information about the tools and projects!
http://fennmakers.weebly.com/