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A Maker Space for Little Ones
The family-oriented MAKESHOP at the Children’s Museum of PittsburghPhotos courtesy of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Once young families cross the carpeted entryway into the MAKESHOP at the...
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2017 SLJTeen Live! Tackles Social Justice, YA Lit, and Coding
On August 9, 2017 SLJ’s sixth annual virtual conference on all things YA lit and teen librarian services kicked off to a strong start with an inspirational opening keynote by the award-winning Benjamin...
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Meet Tamiko Brown, SLJ’s 2017 School Librarian of the Year
Photograph by Felix Sanchez Finalists Alisha Wilson April Wathen Liz Phipps Soeiro Jan Wilson About the Award Tamiko Brown shoots for the stars, fitting for a librarian who works at a school named...
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Maker Movement Grows in K-12, with Librarians Leading the Way, Finds SLJ Survey
Illustration by Traci Daberko Old-fashioned board games and puzzles are what first drew students at a Jacksonville, NC, middle school into the library’s maker space. Now they’re experimenting with...
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A Student-Designed Maker Cart
Diana Rendina’s students conceived the Stewart Storage Cart. A design challenge is one of my favorite ways to spark student creativity in maker spaces. At Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa, FL, I...
View ArticleCheap Thrills: Maker Projects that Won’t Break Your Budget
Activities that involve cardboard, straws, and T-shirts can deliver a big burst of STEAM, while costing very little.
View ArticleHow a Connecticut Library Became a Community STEM Hub
A well conceived tech center and maker lab draws students and community members of all ages.
View ArticleHands-On Ways To De-Stress | Library Hacks
From test anxiety to worries about school safety, many students are stretched thin. Help them unwind with projects to make stress balls, fidget spinners, and more.
View ArticleCosplay Creation with Elementary Students
Cosplay builds confidence and critical thinking. It can also invite discussion about gender stereotypes, body shaming, media representations, and more.
View ArticleMakerspaces Help Kids Tap Potential, Find Confidence, Success, and Friendships
It's more than just tinkering, young people can find a place to belong, learn to persevere, and even discover a path toward a possible career in makerspaces.
View ArticleLaura Fleming: Don’t Let Makerspaces Be A Passing Trend
High school library media specialist and pioneer in school makerspace movement issues a call to action.
View ArticleLet Teens Lead in Makerspaces
Working successfully with teenage makers can require a hands-off approach that dispenses with structure.
View ArticleVideo: Toy Take-Apart with Kristin Fontichiaro and Ben Rearick
Get out the pliers and roll up your sleeves: All you need to know to lead a toy-take apart session with students.
View ArticleMaker Grows Up: Committing to Sustainable Programs Nationwide
Strategies for adaptability, financing, and assessment are key to the movement’s future.
View ArticleSlime Science
The goopy substance is all the rage—and a great way to explore polymers during library maker activities.
View ArticleHow To Organize 250,000 LEGO Pieces
SLJ's 2016 School Librarian of the Year Todd Burleson’s quest for the ultimate LEGO storage solution.
View ArticleMākMō Mobile Makerspace Making Impact in Los Angeles
Four customized vans bring makerspace programming and spark education and partnerships in Southern California.
View ArticleTapping the Lifelong Potential of Making | Editorial
Making is having a positive impact on how kids learn and transforming how they feel about the world around them.
View ArticleGet Thee to a Makerspace: A Shakespeare-Themed Festival from SLJ’s 2017 Maker...
Shake Fest is a blow-out event Bard-related activities, crafts, and games in Alisha Wilson's school library.
View Article“Black Panther”-Inspired Lesson Plans Leverage Hit Film to Teach Tech
Free lesson plans combine digital fabrication with an exploration of cultural symbols inspired by the hit Marvel film.
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