emember the science exhibition days in school, days of joy and learning, where we tried experiments on our own? There used to be so much hustle and bustle in the school, with children excited about their projects and their ideas. But these were limited to a few days in a year.

A maker space is a place where students can gather to create, invent, tinker, explore, and discover using a variety of tools and materials.

-Diana Rendina

Some kids are naturally interested in taking things apart, putting them back together, or creating something new. They break the toys and build something imaginative. But most of the time, these ideas remain confined to their imagination only.

Recently my cousin told me that they hardly went to labs in their school as there were not enough resources available to the students. This brings us to the importance of maker culture in education and learning.

I see my son quite interested in creating things, he loves to play with electronics and wants to do new projects. He learns from youtube videos and there are some amazing channels available online providing a good platform to learn. But it would be great if he had the necessary resources and access to labs where he can explore and experiment more with his ideas.

Maker space is one such concept that can give our kids the freedom to explore and create. In a maker space, students can bring their ideas to life using tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and microcontrollers. They learn through hands-on practice and by making mistakes. It’s a place where they get opportunities to collaborate with other students, solve real-world problems and turn their ideas into products.

Makerspaces in India

Makers Asylum

Makers Asylum is an organization that provides experiential learning opportunities and workshops for individuals who are interested in learning about different aspects of making and hands-on skills. The organization offers a range of courses and workshops that cover a variety of topics, including electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT), woodworking, and drone building.

In addition to the workshops and courses, Makers Asylum also offers two specialized programs for different age groups.

The Innovation School is designed for teens aged 13 and above. This program allows participants to explore pre-engineering, design, and STE(A)M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) skills.

The SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) School is a global immersion program designed for youth and young people aged 18 and above.

https://makersasylum.com/

Locations- Goa

Nuts and Boltz

 Nuts and Boltz is a spacious makerspace located in the National Capital of Delhi. The makerspace covers an area of 1800 sq. ft. and is designed to facilitate a collaborative and creative environment for individuals with diverse interests and skills.

Nuts and Boltz is a hub for makers from different disciplines such as machining, art, aeronautics, robotics, digital art, fashion technology, computers, social activities, science projects, and education. The makerspace provides a platform for makers to present their ideas and innovations, exchange knowledge, and work together to bring their ideas to life.

https://www.nutsandboltz.in/

Location - Delhi

Workbench Projects-

Workbench Projects is an innovation center that aims to empower individuals and teams to become great innovators and add positive value to their surroundings and the world. The center offers a range of resources, including labs, tools, and guidance, to help makers create innovative products that make a difference.

In addition to providing access to tools and equipment, Workbench Projects also offers guidance and support to help makers navigate the innovation process.

Location- Bangalore

https://workbenchprojects.com/

ProjectDEFY

The Defy Project is an initiative aimed at creating innovative learning spaces for communities and challenging traditional education systems. The project seeks to empower communities to create the best learning experiences for themselves through self-designed learning spaces called "Nooks." A nook is a cost-effective, self-learning environment where learners have the freedom to design and define their education.

https://projectdefy.org/

Location-Bangalore

Makersloft

Makers Loft is an organization that is focused on promoting hands-on learning in K-12 education in India. The organization's vision is to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) education enjoyable and relevant for students, and to develop 21st-century skills like creativity, teamwork, logical thinking, critical thinking, analytical skills, and empathy in children.

Makers Loft uses a unique pedagogy called "learning-by-doing," which allows students to become active learners by engaging their hands as well as their minds. The organization believes that children learn best when they are actively engaged in physical activities, rather than simply listening to lectures or reading textbooks.

Location- Bangalore, Kolkata

https://www.makersloft.in/

Each of these makerspaces offers unique resources and opportunities for people to turn their ideas into reality. They also serve as hubs for collaboration and, provide a platform for makers to share ideas, work together on projects, and explore new technology. In addition, many of these makerspaces also provide workshops and classes on various topics related to making and engineering.

Here are some online Makerspaces, 

https://makeitatyourlibrary.org/

https://www.makerspaces.com/25-makerspace-projects-for-kids/

https://diy.org/

https://builtbykids.com/

https://www.instructables.com/projects

https://cobuildathome.com/

https://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/activities

https://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys.html

I don't know if you have come across this video by Arvind Gupta, which is an inspiring story of a maker:

https://www.ted.com/talks/arvind_gupta_turning_trash_into_toys_for_learning?

Makerspaces are an integral part of the maker movement in India and they are helping to create a culture of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. With their help, people can explore new avenues for learning and creation. They also serve as hubs for developing new technologies and ideas that can help create a better tomorrow.

Makerspaces have the potential to revolutionize the way we learn, work, and live – and it’s time for us to start taking advantage of them!

Creating a makerspace at home

I have made a little space for my son to experiment, where mostly he uses old things to create new things. I have allocated a budget to buy some tools and materials that he needs for his project.

You could start by making a list of the items you would like to purchase or borrow from friends, family, and the library. You can then research what types of materials are best suited for your individual needs.

Once you have the material in hand, start exploring ideas to create something new. After a few projects, I realized that my son was getting more creative and this encouraged me to facilitate more hands-on learning opportunities.

Kids need help and guidance to get the most out of their maker activities. So, look for online and offline resources that can help you come up with ideas and mentor your kids during the projects.

This is a great way to encourage your kids to explore making and engineering at home!

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