Online Maker Resources
- CoBuildAtHome – A wealth of online maker activities, a Facebook group, and suggestions from luminaries in the maker world – appropriate for all ages.
- Community Science Workshop Network – Engaging and not technologically complicated; has low-cost projects using inexpensive or recycled materials.
- San Francisco Exploratorium – This amazing museum’s site investigates everything from skateboarding engineering to using Oreo cookies to explore plate tectonics – upper elementary and older.
- Science Friday – This site’s maker challenge has everything from “The Many Uses of Mucus” to “Fossilize Me” – upper elementary and older.
- MakerEd – A compilation of projects and learning approaches designed for educators and parents.
- MakeCode – This Microsoft program has physical and virtual coding and app development – upper elementary through middle school.
- Scratch – An archive of hundreds of math and visual arts activities with examples and stories to help build classroom community and support curriculum content – elementary through middle school.
- Algodoo – This free download allows students to create, alter, and run engineering simulations, changing gravity, adding gears, planes, ropes, and wheels to see how they will interact – middle school and older.
- Blockscad – A simple block coding program to make 3-D objects and teach math concepts – middle school and older.
- Google Experiments – An archive of experiments that require little or no equipment, entertaining and with firm curriculum foundations – middle school and older.
- CoBuildAtHome – A wealth of online maker activities, a Facebook group, and suggestions from luminaries in the maker world – appropriate for all ages.
- Community Science Workshop Network – Engaging and not technologically complicated; has low-cost projects using inexpensive or recycled materials.
- San Francisco Exploratorium – This amazing museum’s site investigates everything from skateboarding engineering to using Oreo cookies to explore plate tectonics – upper elementary and older.
- Science Friday – This site’s maker challenge has everything from “The Many Uses of Mucus” to “Fossilize Me” – upper elementary and older.
- MakerEd – A compilation of projects and learning approaches designed for educators and parents.
- MakeCode – This Microsoft program has physical and virtual coding and app development – upper elementary through middle school.
- Scratch – An archive of hundreds of math and visual arts activities with examples and stories to help build classroom community and support curriculum content – elementary through middle school.
- Algodoo – This free download allows students to create, alter, and run engineering simulations, changing gravity, adding gears, planes, ropes, and wheels to see how they will interact – middle school and older.
- Blockscad – A simple block coding program to make 3-D objects and teach math concepts – middle school and older.
- Google Experiments – An archive of experiments that require little or no equipment, entertaining and with firm curriculum foundations – middle school and older.
Maker Challenges... Try some!
Maker creations will be displayed in the library!
Maker Challenge Rules (for all challenges):
- Creations must be of an appropriate size so that students can easily carry and transport their projects on their own. If not, please send me a picture to display!
- All projects can be submitted throughout the challenge month, but no later than the last school day of that month.
- All projects should be completed at home according to the task directions.
- Bring in your creation whenever you are finished with it! You may include a title with your creation.
- Creations should be done by the student with minimal adult help (but adult supervision is encouraged)!
- Students should work on these projects independently or with a group of friends. Making mistakes and starting over is part of the learning process!
List of Past Challenges:
2018-19
Device Challenge
Egg carton challenge
2017-18
Winter: This challenge has a frosty theme. Make something that is wintery!
Wood Challenge: What can you do with wood?
Fidget Challenge: Make something that could be used as a fidget! It doesn't have to spin!!!
Treehouse Challenge: Make a treehouse!
2016-17
Nature Challenge Make something WITH nature (grass, a leaf, feather, stick, etc., OR Make something that LOOKS like nature!
Toy Challenge: Make a toy
Origami Challenge: Make something out of paper
Aluminum Foil Challenge: Make something with aluminum foil
Playground Challenge: Design your dream playground!
2018-19
Device Challenge
Egg carton challenge
2017-18
Winter: This challenge has a frosty theme. Make something that is wintery!
Wood Challenge: What can you do with wood?
Fidget Challenge: Make something that could be used as a fidget! It doesn't have to spin!!!
Treehouse Challenge: Make a treehouse!
2016-17
Nature Challenge Make something WITH nature (grass, a leaf, feather, stick, etc., OR Make something that LOOKS like nature!
Toy Challenge: Make a toy
Origami Challenge: Make something out of paper
Aluminum Foil Challenge: Make something with aluminum foil
Playground Challenge: Design your dream playground!
Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School 8 Gerstein St., Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 * 914-271-5184