Makerspace - Personal Reflection

Having just completed my makerspace course at TAMUC, here are some thoughts on my journey and what comes next!

What was the build that you are most proud of and why?

While my dancing baby Groot project was a personal favorite, in that it both challenged me and made me smile the most, the project that I would most like to showcase is my "bathymetry" sonar scanner project. As a science teacher, the motivation for this project (to model the bathymetry work of scientist Mary Tharpe) using our Arduino kit's sonar sensor has deep roots in my passion for teaching scientific concepts through hands-on discovery. If I can get students using new technology to do science, while also learning about science, and throw in some female science role models, I feel like I've hit the trifecta! Hopefully, I'll be able to develop this activity into some practical lesson plans I can use with my Middle School students.

Go back to your first week and read each week's submission with an eye for personal growth. Where were you when you started and where did you end up?

Wow! Going back to read my first week's post, I re-live those frustrating days when I couldn't even get my Arduino to connect to my computer (or any computer). Between the Trojan horse virus I accidentally installed trying to find the right drivers and my inability to even get my code to run, I was completely at a loss! Flash forward to the final week: I was able to complete a complex project that not only included custom code, but also successfully used two devices (a DC motor and a sonar sensor), which I now feel confident using. I even got to dig into my craft drawer, reuse some recyclables and build something that makes me smile! I would say this is a night a day transformation, and I can't wait to continue my journey!

What did you learn that you didn't know before? How did you actually come to learn this new knowledge?

I learned not to be afraid of experimenting with new technology. I discovered that trial and error is a great way to learn, searching for resources online is also a great way to learn, and asking classmates for help is a great way to learn too. This course modeled how knowledge doesn't have to be passed down from an authority, it can can be discovered through creative exploration and collaboration. Having a course that models this type of learning is very helpful as a teacher who wants apply it in her own classroom. While many of the topics in this course focused on learning how to use our Arduino kits, I think this type of learning could be applied to any topic. It will take more time to allow open-ended exploration, undoubtedly frustrate students at some point, and require teachers to guide and assess the learning journey (not just the outcomes), but I think all of that effort will be worth it to create learners who are self-motivated problem-solvers of the future.

What did you learn about yourself? Look at your words for each week and see how they might read if one of your students turned in that submission. What were you telling yourself about yourself?

It's weird to try to read your own words in third person and consider how you would treat yourself as a student. I think we are naturally harder on ourselves that we need to be. I mostly see missed opportunities, ways I could have dug deeper, experimented more, researched more efficient solutions. However, on trying to assess my submissions as I would a student's, I do see growth. I see increasing understanding. I seeing a willingness to take more risks and challenge oneself. If this were my student, I would tell her to keep going. I would encourage her to try makers projects on her own, join a makers club or sign up for more makers classes. In assessing her, I would note that, while she could continue to improve how she catalogs and documents her journey by being more detailed with her videos and reflections, she is obviously pushing herself to learn, try, do and create. I learned that I do have a maker's spirit. I need to get better at communicating and expressing it, and I need to continue to push myself outside my comfort zone as I continue on my makers journey.

Where did you say your challenges where? Did these challenges change over the time of the class?

I found challenges everywhere! Initially, I struggled with the software / hardware interface. Then I struggled with circuits and understanding how to use the analog and digital pins on the board. As things got more complex, I struggled with the code: troubleshooting syntax errors, figuring out how to use for/while loops and if/else statements, using the serial print, creating 2D arrays to store data. I struggled with using new components: without a kit guide book, I had to figure out what my different components were, how to communicate with them and wire them, how to protect my Arduino when using motors, how to use different sensors. I even struggled with the physical set-up of my projects: how to hold my sonar sensor level for measuring topography, how to build articulating joints to get a Groot who could dance. Looking back, some of my early challenges seem easy now! I guess that is a sign that, while my challenges changed over times, I was growing my knowledge base and increased willingness to take on more complex challenges!

As you entered the world of the maker, what do you see as your next adventure in the world of making? What are your next steps?

I have so many ideas brewing after having finished this course! I want to continue my journey as a maker by giving myself new challenges to build with my Arduino kit. When I can afford it, I'd also like to start playing with the Raspberry Pi and some more advanced electronics. I'm going to be offering a coding club next semester where I hope to teach middle schoolers how to program their own 3D computer games. I want to help other middle school teachers come up with lesson plans that use Arduinos in their classes in the context of what they are teaching. I want to get more proficient at 3D printing and shop tools. I'm very curious about drones (inspired by some truly amazing drone shows I witnessed at Burning Man this year!) I'd love to start a drone club next year that could program drone stunts and choreographed drone shows for school pep rallies!

Ultimately, I'd like to be able to open and operate a makerspace focused on engaging middle schoolers in creative making, playing and doing using more advanced tools than they were exposed to in lower school. To do this, I want to get buy-in from all the stakeholders: find out what students / teachers are doing in lower school to get an idea of my starting point, explore synergies with what students are learning / teachers are teaching in middle school classes, discover what deficits in maker experience exist amongst upper schoolers, get input from the middle school students on what tools, materials, skills and projects they want to try and play with, gain support and traction within the department, division and administration to create a position that could focus on creating, developing and maintaining a makerspace, and collaborate with our outreach, social impact, communications, student publications and parents associations to extend the visibility and impact of our makerspace. 

Some of these goals seem a little lofty at this point, and perhaps my objectives will change as I continue my journey. However, dreaming big and working hard for your dreams is a great place to start!