Vision

The Makerspace movement at Katherine Johnson is a transformative approach to teaching and learning that attends to the shared interests and needs of our diverse community of learners. We strive to provide student-centered, hands-on, creative ways to design, experiment and engage in science, engineering, tinkering and beyond!

Background

Makerspaces are not limited to any one specific content area and can be used for teachers and students to explore common personal interests. The Makerspace movement is an approach that positions agency and student interest at the center, asking students to become more aware of the design of the world around them, and begin to see themselves as people who can tinker, hack and improve a design.

At Katherine Johnson, our Makerspace is housed in the Scott Poole Lecture Hall (Room 153). Click on the YouTube video below to check out a computer animation of what students and staff are envisioning our innovative space will soon look like.

What is the Makerspace Movement?

The Maker Movement is a vehicle that will allow schools to be part of the necessary return to constructivist education. A movement that will allow students to be creative, innovative, independent, and technologically literate; not an “alternative” way to learn, but what modern learning should really look like (Stager, 2014).

How can you help support the Makerspace movement at Katherine Johnson Middle School?

We are looking for members of the KJMS community to consider donating items which are typically considered trash or junk. Think of the saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. In this case, that so-called “trash” could very well be the materials needed for a great innovation project. All donations are greatly appreciated!

If you do not have any items to donate to the Makerspace and would still like to help, please consider a monetary donation. Any amount is encouraged and can be given through cash or check made payable to Katherine Johnson Middle School. All donations can be sent to Katherine Johnson Middle School and labeled Katherine Johnson Makerspace. Remember that all donations are tax deductible!