What do you do when you are expected and wanting to put a Makerspace into your school library, yet the support by way of funding is just not there? When it comes to the library budget, I find that in a lot of schools, the budget just falls short. But you have dreams of creating that 21st century library for your students. You want to give your students everything you think they need to be successful. Your budget falling short doesn’t mean that your dream library program has to fall short also. In this post, I highlight 5 ways to create and run a Makerspace with no budget at all!
Sometimes it’s hard to just get started. You have this big idea in your mind of what you want your Makerspace to look like. You want robots, Legos, coding software, Gears, building materials, I get it. You want it to be perfect for the kids. But if you wait to collect all of these items and materials BEFORE starting your Makerspace, it just won’t get done. It will prolong the process of introducing it to your students and it will be a frustrating time for you.
I just recently started in a new job that had no Makerspace and a budget that I won’t really be able to use until next year. However, I was determined to start a Makerspace with what I had. I knew that my new administrators really wanted a library program that reflects a more modern vision of a school library. In my description of how to get started with no money, I am assuming that you have basic school materials such as: scotch tape, markers, scissors, paper, etc.
So this is what I did:
Creating a Makerspace with NO MONEY!!!
2. Pick a Space!
I highly recommend that you find a permanent and visible spot for your Makerspace area. It doesn’t have to be a huge space, but clear off a few shelves so that when people come in they know exactly where it is. The visibility may also help with getting funding.
3. Get Creative!
Design your own signs and bin labels using your computer, paper, markers and your school’s laminator. As long as the signage is bright and brings attention to your Makerspace area then it works. Are there great Makerspace signs out there made out of old tool parts? Sure! But right now, you probably don’t have the time or funds for that kind of signage. The important part is that you get the area set up and usable. You can always upgrade and add to it later!
I used this free downloadable template for my sign!
4. Organize your Materials
As your materials start coming in from donations, organize your bins and start putting materials on the shelves. Organize in a way that makes sense for you and the students and label all of your bins and boxes to make the materials easy to find and easy to use. I found old bins, crates and baskets in so many different parts of the school. They don’t all match and they aren’t all pretty, but they do the trick! Remember, this does not have to be how you permanently store things, but it’s a start. You can always keep your eye out on sales at Walmart, Target, Michaels, etc. and pick up really bright, colorful bins for cheap prices in the future.
5. Plan some Activities with what you have
We had A LOT of toilet paper tubes and bottle caps, so I looked up ways to use them. I ended up creating recycled race cars with kindergarten and first grade for Earth Day. Origami books are constantly checked out in our building and popular with the kids. So each month I feature a different origami project. I print out the origami directions and cut white printer paper into squares and the kids love it. Arts and crafts are also fun for students and very inexpensive. For one project, students created corner bookmarks. Students just need markers, construction paper, scissors and glue. Again, I print out the directions and students are able to create these items on their own.
If you have access to chromebooks or iPad, I also feature a new App of the Month; sometimes it’s coding, sometimes it’s a video creation app. There are soooo many FREE apps out there that allow kids to create. Each month, I also print out directions and materials for a STEAM Challenge, such as build the tallest tower with 12 straws and one foot of tape. It’s simple, but these activities incorporate STEAM and gives students a chance to think creatively and build.
In an ideal world, you would love the Makerspace to be a place where students can come with their own ideas and try to create, build and explore them. The Makerspaces that I have created in my libraries is a lot more guided then I’d like it to be, but it’s also new for them. As students get used to using and creating with their Makerspace, you can change, add and really make it a place that reflects what your specific kids need. The important thing is that you create the area and give students the time to explore.
After your Makerspace is set up, THEN you can set out trying to advocate for your program and find some additional funding. This can come through your administration, but this should not be where you start. Grants are a great way to get extra funding. It will take some time and some research, but it may be something you dedicate 15 minutes a day to. It may not seem like a lot of time to “write a grant,” but in a few weeks, working just 15 minutes a day will get your grant done.
Here is a great website that lists grants and places for funding by state!
https://teachergeek.com/pages/stem-grants
I’d love to hear about your Makerspaces! Comment below with your low cost ideas Makerspace ideas!
