1. I have three MakeyMakeys. I managed to score three OLD desktops, that my awesome tech was able to doctor up and get in good condition, and they are the dedicated MakeyMakey stations. I keep Play-Doh, tin foil, spoons, and other "conductive" items handy for making. I also have a littleBits MakeyMakey and two MakeyMakeyGos.
3. Meccanoid robot -- I liked the idea of this one, but it tends to stay in a trillion pieces more than it's put together, but it may just be my kids. It's supposed to do awesome things, but my kids won't leave it assembled.
4. Structural Engineering with: solo cups, Legos, MagnaTiles, dominoes. It's flat out amazing what the kids will build with CUPS. -- Check out my school's Twitter/Instagram/Facebook page for pics (@PGMVikings). We also have a shake table to see how sturdy the creations are.
5. Ozobots -- fun to program with paper and markers, with the Ozobot apps, and with the Ozoblockly website. Found out at this GaETC that you can use ONE app called Tickle (be careful searching for that in the App Store), and it can program Ozobots, Dash & Dot, Ollies, drones, etc...6. BB8 -- Kids LOVE to drive BB8 all around the library.
7. ViewMaster Virtual Reality Goggles -- I use old hand-me-down phones in conjunction with the ViewMaster goggles (being plastic they are more durable). I could probably have a million of these and still not have enough. LOVE the Underwater App until the shark got in the dive cage with me! EEK! I had two donated phones but sadly one was stolen, so now we have one. However, the kids can bring their phones to the library and use them in the goggles if they would like.
8. I brought my OOOOOOLLLLLDDDD sewing machine in and buy remnants of fabric all show kids how to sew. I go ahead and cut the fabric into squares, and each kid can start off by making a pocket. THEY LOVE IT! Boys & girls alike!
9. Knitting/Crocheting -- I have no idea how to do this, but I have yarn and needles and BOOKS, and the kids figure it out themselves.
10. Coloring -- I print out huge poster sized coloring sheets for kids to sit together and color -- it's so therapeutic. THEN, when it is completed, I have all the students sign their names to their work of art and hang them in the library.
11. Origami....Scrapbooking....Jewelry Making -- depends on how much stock I have to do these things...
12. 3D Hologram Projector -- sounds complicated...it's NOT! I use the extra laminating film (that usually winds up in the trash), and kids trace and cut out four trapezoid shapes, tape them together, make a pyramid, and through the magic of YouTube create a projector. Search YouTube for 3D Hologram Videos, find one you like, set your assembled projector in the middle of the four images, and viola, you have a hologram when you look through your projector. Here are directions: https://diyhacking.com/diy-hologram/ It includes a template, but you can google 3D Hologram Projector and find videos showing you how to make one as well as different sized templates that work based on the size of your phone. THIS IS AN AWESOME PROJECT! How do I know?? I helped a student attempt to make one of these a month ago, and we ran out of time. He took the materials home with him to work on it himself, and when he came into the library the next day, he said, "I thought it would be lame and not work, but it totally did and was SOOOO cool!!"
13. I brought in my Canon Rebel camera and zoom lens for kids to learn digital photography. I lucked up again with an old laptop, loaded it up with editing software and a link to the PicMonkey site (picmonkey.com) and Canva (canva.com).
14. Stuff to take apart -- old keyboards, mice, headphones, phones, a video camera. Kids LOVE to take stuff apart and see what it looks like on the inside. Keep a good stash of screwdrivers!!
15. Stuff to build with -- spoons, string, index cards, cotton balls, Q-tips, paper bags, rubber bands, tape, craft sticks (large and small), chenille stems (pipe cleaners...) Kids straight love to build stuff and as a plus, I've had teachers mention that since we've had the MakerSpace open, they noticed that when assigning students a project where they have to build something, they jump right in and go!16. I also moved our die-cut machine out into the library. Kids are forever using it for projects or for scrapbooking, making cards... They use it far more than the teachers ever did!!
All of these (14-16) are housed as seen in the picture in bins stored on the shelves that WERE my Reference section. I weeded and relocated all of those books to make room for MakerSpace supplies.
