News and events
The Maker{Home} project
Harriet Bines, Maker{Futures} Programme Assistant
Have you ever thought of the home environment as a space to develop STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) skills? Lately, we have been helping schools to engage the whole family in STEAM through making at home.
According to a report published by the STEM Next Opportunity Fund (‘Changing the Game in STEM with Family Engagement’, April 2019), sustained family engagement from early childhood is associated with greater educational and career outcomes. Likewise, when families make together, they can build up their knowledge across STEAM which in turn can foster mindsets such as creativity, critical thinking and problem solving that are integral for the future success of pupils.
‘Make a Maker{School}' is a Maker{Futures} project funded by The University of Sheffield, Garfield Weston Foundation, CIVA, Erase All Kittens, and Arbourthorne Community Primary School and involves ten primary schools in South Yorkshire on a quest to develop their maker education.
As part of this research project we have been co-running a series of Maker{Home} events with school staff, pupils and their families - introducing the concept of making with cardboard in a fun, creative way. At the end of the session, families take home a Maker{Home} kit encompassing various gadgets to continue their making journey.
Equipping families with ideas and resources maximises the potential for learning at home and can reduce the anxiety of approaching STEAM. We have received some great feedback from parents such as Gayle who said, “It was a fantastic session which allowed the children to explore STEAM through a fun and creative activity. It was great to see so many girls involved as it gives them a chance to see that STEM is not just for boys” .
Our Maker{Home} kit for families
There are many brilliant and unexpected outcomes of the Maker{Home} project. We’ve seen weird and wacky creations such as backpacks, dog kennels, minecraft swords, daleks and dragon suits - all constructed out of cardboard. We’ve glimpsed generations of families tinkering, laughing and problem solving together. I also saw how ‘making’ can break down barriers in language. At one school, Saman delivered our presentation transitioning between both Urdu and English and it was amazing to witness the positive effect this had on our audience. Our message - creativity does not have a language. Making allows families of different speaking languages to come together to engage in STEAM without barriers.
It is such an exciting time for this venture. Maker{Home} is the first of its kind to launch in the UK but there is a buzz in the air as innovative leaders of STEM programmes pursue family based projects. LEGO, for example launched #Let’sBuildTogether in 2020 with daily build challenges and LEGO® lessons for the home. The focus: making as a family.
So, let’s get more families engaged in STEAM! And the benefits will surely follow.