Training
From free information sessions and online courses to full CPD days and the Maker{School} Awards, we have a range of professional development and training to suit everyone. We can also design bespoke sessions for your setting. Contact us to find out more.
For all educators
Makerspaces for Creative Learning
An online course for educators interested in learning more about makerspaces and how to get started in your setting. Free - learn at your own pace.
Duration: 3 weeks (learn at your own pace)
Cost: Free
Recommended for: Maker{School} Bronze Award
This 3 week Futurelearn Course is a must for anyone wanting to know more about makerpaces, why we need them and how to get started. Learn at your own pace with this interactive online programme from the University of Sheffield.
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
Explain the importance of fostering creativity in children aged 3-11
Discuss the educational, cultural and social value of makerspaces
Describe ways of organising makerspaces in early years settings, schools, libraries, museums and community spaces
Develop ideas for building your own makerspace
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in makerspaces and how they are used in formal and informal learning spaces.
It will be of particular interest for people who use or work in early years settings, schools, museums, libraries, community settings and parents or teachers.
"As a complete beginner to Makerspaces, this course really was brilliant, with some great ideas that can be applied to your own setting."
Schools and early years settings
Introduction to Maker{School}
A twilight session to establish the basics of setting up classroom makerspaces and projects
Duration: 1 - 1.5hrs
Delivery: Face to face at your setting, for all school staff
Cost: £200 plus VAT, or can be combined with a Maker{Move} visit for a reduced cost. This training is included with a Bronze Award bursary.
Recommended for: Maker{School} Bronze Award
"giving staff a supportive space and time to create together, strengthen our team working and inspire staff to collaborate and innovate. "
Feedback from a twilight session
Developing as a Maker{School}
A full day INSET that includes: Introducing and using tools, classroom makerspaces, suppliers, safety & risk, pedagogy & practice.
Duration: 5-6 hrs
Delivery: Face to face at your setting or at the next Maker{School} learning conference. For all school staff.
Cost: Contact us to discuss your requirements and we will provide a quote. This is included with a Silver Award bursary
Recommended for: Maker{School} Silver Award
"Maker is what seems to have been forgotten in the curriculum"
Teaching assistant
"Fab to build whole staff skills and so useful to have time together to plan" EYFS teacher
Getting started with Maker{School} Silver Award in KS2
A face to face training workshop over two days. Practical skill builders in all 5 areas of the maker curriculum.
Materials and tools
Computing, coding and robotics
Digital literacies
Digital design and fabrication
Electronics
Plus…
Practical ideas for use in the classroom
Time and support for project planning
Duration: Two days
Cost: £200pp + £100 (plus VAT) for any additional colleagues. Two places are included with a Silver Award bursary
Recommended for: Maker{School} Silver Award
Next dates: 26th and 27th March 2024
"I learned new skills that will be useful every day at school"
"Extremely clear explanation of the pedagogy behind a maker curriculum and how it works in the classroom. Examples of planning sequences and maker areas in different schools will be useful to implement straight away. "
"we were able to share ideas with each other and have fun experimenting with different types of skill building. It felt like we were learning things that were transferable to the classroom and children"
Feedback from KS2 teachers
Getting started with Maker{School} Silver Award in the Early Years and KS1
A face to face training workshop over two days. Practical skill builders in all 5 areas of the maker curriculum.
Materials and tools
Computing, coding and robotics
Digital literacies
Digital design and fabrication
Electronics
Plus…
Practical ideas for use in the classroom
Time and support for project planning
Duration: Two days
Cost: £200pp + £100 (plus VAT) for any additional colleagues. Two places are included with a Silver Award bursary
Recommended for: Maker{School} Silver Award
Next dates: 21st and 22nd May 2024
"insightful, supportive and inspiring"
"The professional dialogues helped me to have original ideas and space to think beyond the norm."
Feedback from EYFS and KS1 teachers
The Maker{School} Collective is an inspiring, collaborative and supportive community for teachers interested in maker education. We currently meet face to face four times a year in Sheffield to share ideas, get inspiration and eat pizza!
Teaching Digital Literacy: Videogames in Education
Dive into the fascinating world of videogames in education and discover the positive impact games can have on children’s learning. Free - learn at your own pace.
Duration: 4 Weeks (Learn at your own pace)
Delivery: Online
Cost: Free
On this four-week course from the University of Sheffield, you’ll explore new ways to teach digital literacies with videogames, helping you to use videogames and game design as an educational tool.
Explore how to teach digital literacies through videogames
Through this dynamic course, you’ll discover the 5 Cs model of teaching digital literacy:
collaboration,
cultural access,
creativity,
criticality, and
computational thinking.
Using these skills, you’ll be able to enhance your teaching and use videogames in your classroom to provide important new opportunities to children.
Museums
Museum Educator Training
Museums provide inspiration for family fun and creative sessions with making.
Duration: half or full day
Delivery: Face to face at your museum
Cost: From £300 plus VAT
This half or full day course is delivered at your museum for education and learning teams.
Learning on this course
This is a fun, hands-on course where you will work alongside colleagues to develop your maker-based practices.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to
Understand what a makerspace is and why it is important for everyone to develop 21st century skills
Understand how you can set up a range of makerspace activities in your museum
Use simple materials, tools and electronics to get started with activities
Develop ideas and plans for integrating making with exhibitions and artefacts
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for museums wanting to get started with maker activities and makerspaces.
Libraries
Library Educator Training
From maker clubs to story inspired making, libraries are a great place for a makerspace.
Duration: half or full day
Delivery: Face to face at your library
Cost: From £300 plus VAT
This half or full day course is delivered at your library to a team of librarians and other relevant staff and volunteers.
Learning on this course
This is a fun, hands-on course where you will work alongside colleagues to develop your maker education practices.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
Understand what a makerspace is and why it is important for children to develop 21st century skills
Understand how you can set up a range of makerspaces in your library to suit very young children to adults
Use simple materials, tools and electronics to get started with activities
Develop ideas and plans for integrating making with stories
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for libraries wanting to get started with maker activities and makerspaces.
Our pop-up mobile makerspace can bring maker activities to your education setting, museum, library or community space.
How do we become a Maker{School}?
You can register your interest in becoming a Maker{School} and join our mailing list. Take a look at how our awards process works or get in touch with the Maker{Futures} team to find out more.