Advocacy Plan

LM/CE 5010
Tiffany Legare

Plan Our plan is to establish a functional makerspace to increase collaboration with

Goal departments. Our plan is directed at my principal, school staff, and community
members (parents and other community members). As outlined in our mission and
vision, the library aims to develop life-long learners through critical thinking,
collaboration, and imagination. The makerspace will provide students an outlet to
collaborate with their peers and explore their educational and personal interest
through low-risk hands on activities. Our goal is to incorporate the makerspace
into classroom learning objectives to provide students with a way to apply the
skills they are acquiring.

Message Currently, our library has a small section of materials that students are allowed to
utilize as they please. This space is only accessible to students during their free
period or after school. By establishing a makerspace, we will increase
collaboration opportunities with classroom teachers. Classroom teachers have
commented that they would like to collaborate with the library; however, they
struggle with how to incorporate the space into their current lesson plan. The
makerspace will allow students to have hands on opportunities in the classroom.

Our current makerspace is primarily used during a student’s free period; however,
through collaboration with departments and classroom teachers, the makerspace
can serve students during their content specific class time. The goal would be to
use Resnick’s 4 Ps as guidepost when looking at the curriculum. The 4 Ps are
projects, passion, peers, and play (Resnick, 2017). Salisbury and Nichols
encourage educators to first reflect on what making means for their classroom,
their students, and for the school from which you can find pockets that allow for
students to express passion and work with peers (2020).

While we do have some equipment, the materials we have vary in condition and do
not provide the breadth of access that a makerspace would provide. Most of the
materials have been acquired through donations from the local community which
we are very grateful for and hope to expand upon our drive. From our limited
materials, we have already seen an increase in usage. We have seen an increase in
home-economics subjects such as knitting, sewing, and crocheting which has led to
the creation of a knitting and sewing club. This year alone we have seen an
increase in enrollment for the knitting and sewing club by 20%.

To track and plan usage of the makerspace, the library will maintain and monitor a
sign-up calendar for classroom teachers.

Team The Library Media Specialist, the Technology Integrator, and the Department
Heads will meet once a month to discuss usage of the makerspace and to
 brainstorm curriculum ideas for integration. The Library Media Specialist will
form a committee of classroom teachers and specialist which will represent the
teaching body of the school. This committee will be used to generate ideas for
curriculum integration and necessary materials for the makerspace. The Library
Media Specialist will attend Booster meetings and PTA meetings to raise
awareness about the makerspace and gain volunteers to help organize a
makerspace donation drive with the committee.

Timeline August: Send an email to classroom teachers and specialist to establish interest in
the committee. Ask colleagues to signup if they wish to participate. Send survey in
late August about makerspace to classroom teachers and specialist with a
September due date.
September: Meet with department heads for initial integration meeting. Hold first
committee meeting to discuss hopes for the program and ask colleagues to work
with their department to establish a vision of how they will use the makerspace.
Attend first booster club and PTA meeting to establish a rapport and plan donation
drive.
September - May: Meet monthly with department heads to discuss makerspace
usage and curriculum integration.
October: Hold makerspace donation guide in early October to gain materials from
the community. Organize makerspace based on the donations received. Publish
calendar for classroom teacher sign up of makerspace.
October - May: Include “What’s Happening in the Makerspace” column in
monthly newsletter. Collect data on monthly usage of makerspace by department
and grade level.
May: Meet with committee and department heads for a debrief of year. Collect
usage data of makerspace including subject specific information, inventory of
materials, and most popular projects. Present report of usage to Principal.

Artifact Makerspace Collaboration Survey: https://forms.gle/vJDgay9wFcSdQ6ch6

References

Resnick, M. (2017). Lifelong kindergarten: Cultivating creativity through project, passion, peers,
and play. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Salisbury, K., & Nichols, T. P. (2020, April 27). School makerspaces: Beyond the hype.
kappanonline.org. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://kappanonline.org/school-
makerspaces-beyond-hype-classrooms-salisbury-nichols/