--- title: 5 Steps to Designing a Makerspace in After School | Extended Notes description: A makerspace is an informal, open-ended workspace that encourages students to build, invent and experiment through hands-on, creative activities. image: https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_101684959__800x400.jpg --- # 5 Steps to Designing a Makerspace in After School March 11 - [Home](https://www.extendednotes.com/) - [Articles](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog) - 5 Steps to Designing a Makerspace in After School Share this Post [mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/5-steps-to-designing-a-makerspace-in-afterschool](mailto:?subject=Sharing%20a%20blog%20post;body=Check%20out%20this%20ExtendED%20Notes%20blog%20post:%20https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/after-school-articles/5-steps-to-designing-a-makerspace-in-afterschool) [Teaching Strategies ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/teaching-strategies) [STEM | STEAM ](https://www.extendednotes.com/blog/tag/stem-steam) ![Shutterstock 101684959](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_101684959__800x400.jpg)   A makerspace is an informal, open-ended workspace that encourages students to build, invent and experiment through hands-on, creative activities.   There is no universal standard for a makerspace. It can be anything from a workbench filled with crafts supplies to a lab fully equipped with high-end electronics. The purpose is to provide tools and materials that promote ingenuity, creativity and innovation.   Consider the following steps to design your makerspace:   - **Gauge interest. **Determine the types of activities to provide by assessing educators’ and students’ needs and interest. - **Find the space. **Select a space that is functional, has access to plumbing and electricity and is located where noise won’t disturb outside learning. - **Define the space. **Determine when and by whom the space will be used. If the space will be open on the weekends, the design should accommodate access during those hours. - **Explore funding options. **Offset start-up costs by soliciting community donations, partnering with local business or crowdfunding on websites such as [Kickstarter ](https://www.kickstarter.com/)and [Indiegogo](https://www.indiegogo.com/). - **Choose the equipment**. Advanced makerspaces include tools such as 3-D printers, electronics and power tools. Programs can also provide crafts supplies such as cardboard, wood scraps, duct tape and cotton balls. Both options can foster creativity and spark innovation. For more information about designing a makerspace for your after school program, download the [Makerspace Playbook.](http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Makerspace-Playbook-Feb-2013.pdf) #### Article Categories ![afterschool advocacy icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/afterschool%20advocacy%20icon.svg) After School Advocacy ![bullying safety icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/bullying%20safety%20icon.svg) Bullying and Safety ![leadership icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/leadership%20icon.svg) Leadership & Professional Development ![parental engagement icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/parental%20engagement%20icon.svg) Parental Engagement ![physical activity icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/physical%20activity%20icon.svg) Physical Activity ![program development icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/program%20development%20icon.svg) Program Development ![social emotional learning icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/social%20emotional%20learning%20icon.svg) Social-Emotional Learning ![stem icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/stem%20icon.svg) STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) ![teaching strategies icon](https://www.extendednotes.com/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/teaching%20strategies%20icon.svg) Teaching Strategies ![extended notes fb page banner](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendED%20Notes%20Blog/extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png?width=342&height=130&name=extended%20notes%20fb%20page%20banner.png) [Follow Page ](https://www.facebook.com/385747254841303?ref=embed_page) ![ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge Base-01](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=ExtendedNotes_Logo_Knowledge%20Base-01.jpg) ExtendED Notes 974 followers Connect with us to get the latest Articles & Insights. ## Related Articles ![related post image](https://www.extendednotes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ice_tray_battery-2__800x400.jpg?width=352&name=ice_tray_battery-2__800x400.jpg) #### Ice-Tray Battery Voltaic batteries turn chemical energy into the electrical energy. 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