Overview: Maker Spaces and Making in K12 schools and CTE settings and in communities, and technologies that support students in being makers, provide the opportunity to apply learning of academic content and to practicing career skills, while solving authentic problems through hands-on and often collaborative real-word experiences.

The showcase will convene developers, government representatives, and industry partners in the field of making, to discuss innovative model and approaches that are building capacity for “maker education” as a mainstream learning activity in schools and communities, especially in underserved areas.

The showcase will also include a demo session where attendees and local teachers and students will be able to demo a series of maker technologies and projects that were developed with the support of government programs while meeting the developers.

Government Program Offices That Supported the R&D of the Maker Technologies at the Showcase:

• US Department of Education, SBIR

• US Department of Education, OCTAE

• National Science Foundation, SBIR Program

• The Smithsonian Institution

• Institute of Museum and Library Services

Agenda

1:30 to 2:00

• Networking

2:00 to 3:00

• Opening Remarks:

o Allen Brooks, Building Momentum

o Albert Palacios, US Department of Education

o Paula Gangopadhyay, Institute of Museum of Library Services

• A Short State of the Field in Making for K12 and CTE

o Dorothy Jones-Davis, Nation of Makers

• A set of “Big Idea” talks on models to support the emergence and sustainability of maker spaces and making in schools, CTE settings, and in communities, followed by Q&A with attendees

o Andrew Coy, Digital Harbor

o Cara Lesser, Kid Museum

o Ben Stokes, American University

o Ilana Preuss, Recast City

o DJ Moreau, Games for Change

o Closing Remarks by Alan Gershenfeld of eLine Media & Paul Reynolds of FableVision/Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & Creativity

3:00PM

• Key Note Address:

o Scott Stump, Assistant Secretary, OCTAE, US Department of Education

3:30 to 5:00

• Demoes of Maker technologies to attendees, Networking, and Happy Hour

Maker Projects K12 and CTE at the Showcase :

• In DESCARTES (Video Demo) students in grades 3 to 5 use engineering design, apply Math and Science concepts, simulate in a sandbox game, and 3D print their own prototypes (submersibles, boats, gliders, and other machines) using a standards aligned design platform and curricula. Developed by Parametric Studio through a 2017 IES/SBIR award. In EDISON (Video Demo) students in grades 6 to 9 solve real engineering problems with gamified engineering design software, make and test designs involving structures, electronics, and RC cars, simulate and visualize designs in VR and AR. Teachers can customize and create their own unique project-based learning activities in EDISON. In development by Parametric Studio through a 2018 NSF/SBIR award. Contact: Chris Whitmer (whitmer@parametricstudioinc.com)

• FabMaker Studio (Video Demo) is a web-based design and fabrication tool for students in Pre-K to grade 8 to design, invent, and build their own geometric constructions, pop-ups, and working machines using low-cost materials like paper and cardstock and a wide range of tools from scissors to inexpensive 2D cutters, 3D printers, and laser cutters. Developed by FableVision Studios, Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity, with initial funding in 2010 by ED/IES SBIR. Contact: Gary Goldberger (gary@fablevision.com)

• Chef Koochooloo (Video Demo) is a gamified educational platform that teaches K-5 students cultural sensitivity, STEAM concepts (assessed as per national standards), and sustainability through healthy cooking in schools. Developed in part through a 2019 NSF SBIR award. Contact Layla Sabourian (layla@chefkoochooloo.com)

• HyperMock (Video demo) is an XR author-publish-evaluate platform that helps high school educators create immersive content and to explore careers in manufacturing as well as gain knowledge and skills. Developed by SimInsights through a 2017 NSF SBIR award. Contact: Rajesh Jha (rkjha1@siminsights.com)

• Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces is a series of free engineering design challenges for students to engage with emerging technologies through hands-on learning. Inspired by Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, these activities bridge formal science education and the makerspace movement by helping educators and teachers engage with digital and physical technologies within the context of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) by asking them to make something new. Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces include 3-D models and thoughtfully designed lesson plans that will guide educators and students throughout the engineering design process by observing, making, designing and testing solutions to a problem. Contact: Ryan Seymour (SeymourR2@si.edu)  

• SnappyXO (Video Demo) is a design-driven robotics education product for K-12 and postsecondary schools, camps, informal STEM learning environments, and makers and hobbyists. The product consists of modular hardware and customizable and apps to help students design and control robot motions. Developed by Mechanismic Inc. with funding from the NSF SBIR/STTR program and other sources. Contacts: Dr. Anurag Purwar (anurag.purwar@stonybrok.edu)

• Joulez engages girls aged 8-12 to learn engineering and computer programming principles while building and programming the Joulez Interactive Butterfly Wall Art Kit & App. After constructing the wall art kit, girls can program sequential light shows that incorporate sensors, motion, colors, and light effects over multiple zones. In with funding from a 2018 NSF/SBIR award. Contact: Stephanie Rowe (stephanie@joulez.co)