For effective STEM education, educators and schools should provide an enabling ecosystem with required logistics for STEM education. Makerspaces are the STEM Labs which provide the required resources and ecosystem for STEM learning and education.
A makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school, a facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high-tech to no-tech tools. These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, soldering irons and even sewing machines. A makerspace however doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace. cardboard, Legos and art supplies are the minimal resources required for a makerspace. It’s more of the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing and exploring students’ interests that’s at the core of a makerspace. These spaces help to prepare students for facing critical 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Children naturally tinker; they build things and take things apart—especially when they’re left unattended! Makerspaces encourage that natural creativity. Students in makerspace are also able to practice critical thinking skills, challenge their imaginations, and come up with solutions to real-world problems. Makerspaces provides hands on learning, help with critical thinking skills and even boost self-confidence. Some of the skills that are learned in a makerspace pertain to electronics, 3d printing, 3D modelling, coding, robotics and even woodworking, Makerspaces are also fostering entrepreneurship and are being utilized as incubators and accelerators for business start-ups.