by Madeline Hall

MakerSpace Tasks The following materials were created for workshop attendees only.

Terms of Use: Feel free to copy as needed for your use or use with your

students. The contents is licensed under a Creative Commons Attributions-

NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. That means you can modify this

product as long as you don’t re-sell it and you cannot relicense it under

different terms. You do not have permission to share copies with other teach-

ers.

Background graphics were Royalty Free Stock Images: Track backgrounds.

EPS 8 found at http://www.dreamstime.com/welcome.

Tasks are color coded; yellow background are intended for K-2, blue back-

ground are intended for 3-5, and red for grades 6 and up.

All photographs were taken from completed projects.

Resources Alpert, B. A look at magnets. Capstone Press, 2012

Blakeney, F. 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special. Potter Craft,

2006.

Boursin, Didier. Easy Origami. Firefly Books, 2005.

Burnett, Christie. Childhood 101. http://childhood101.com

Burton, J & Taylor, K. The nature and science of color. Gareth Stevens, 1998

Di Salle, Rachel. Junk Drawer Jewelry. Kids Can Press, 2006

Guillain, c. Floating or sinking. Heinemann Library, 2009

Hartlove, C. Kids Weaving. STC Craft, 2005

LaFosse, M. Making origami science experiments step by step. PowerKids Press, 2004

LaFosse, M. Origami activities; Asian arts & crafts for creative kids. Tuttle Publishing, 2003

Let’s Build Boats! http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2014/06/lets-build-boats-engineering-with-

kids.html

Murray, J. Floating, sinking. Abdo, 2007

Montilone, J. The Upcycled T-Shirt; 28 Easy-to-Make Projects That Saved the Planet. Stash Books,

2015

Needham, B. Ecology crafts for kids; 50 great ways to make friends with planet Earth. Sterling Publi-

cations, 1998

Paper Plate Maze. mycakies.com/2014/06/comp-home-paper-plate-magnet-maze/

Resources cont’d. Raum, Elizabeth. What’s the attraction? Raintree, 2007

Rhatigan, J. & Newcomb, R. Paper fantastic: 50 creative projects to fold, cut, glue, paint & weave.

Lark Books, 2004.

Ross, Laura. Hand puppets; How to make and use them. Dover Publications, 1989

Starfish Education. http://www.starfisheducation.com/2013/06/The-Brown-Bag-STEM-

Challenges.html

Stowell, Charlotte. Making books. Kingfisher, 1994

Suncatcher Wind Chimes. http://handsonaswegrow.com/nature-suncatcher-wind-chimes/

Temko, F. Paper gifts and Jewelry. Millbrook Press, 1997.

Temko. F. Origami boxes and more! Tuttle Publications, 2004.

Troupe, T. Magnet Power!; Science adventures with Mag 3000 the origami robot. Picture Window

Books, 2013

Williams, J. Projects with color and light. Gareth Stevens Children’s Books, 1992

Paper Plate Maze Challenge/Problem:

How do you make a maze from paper plates?

Constraints: Paper plates, markers, button magnets, foam shapes, circle shapes,

dowel or extra long straws, hot glue (with teacher)

Research: What’s the attraction? Elizabeth Raum. (538 RAU), A look at magnets. by

Barbara Alpert. (EBook 538 ALP)

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label the

materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your maze with a partner. Test it to see if it the magnet moves

the animal around the maze.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your teacher

or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solution.

Straw Sail Boats Challenge/Problem:

How do you make a boat from recycled materials?

Constraints: Straws, Styrofoam, glue, tape, small plastic cups, paper, foam shapes

Research: Floating, sinking. Julie Murray (532.25 MUR), Floating or sinking. Char-

lotte Guillain (532 GUI)

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label the

materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your boat in the water. Test it to see if it floats and see if your

sail will help your boat move. Improve and/or Present

Improve and/or Present: If your boat floats present it by sharing with your teach-

er or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solution

Sun Catchers Challenge/Problem:

How do you make a sun catcher from recycled materials?

Constraints: Construction paper, laminate film, tissue paper, Sharpie Markers,

while glue

Research: Projects with light and color. John Williams (535 WIL).

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label the

materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your sun catcher in a window. Test it to see if light shines

through. Does it reflect light on other objects?

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your teacher

or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solution.

Book Mark Challenge/Problem:

How do you make a bookmark that would stand up to wear?

Constraints: card stock, laminate film, thin and regular markers, assorted foam

shapes, white glue, and ribbon.

Research: Ideas from Pinterest

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label the

materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Test your book mark out.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your teacher

or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solution.

Origami Monster Bookmark Challenge/Problem:

How do you make a bookmark by folding that will stay place in a corner of a book?

Constraints: Origami papers or any colorful paper cut into squares, thin and regular

markers, assorted foam shapes, google eyes, and white glue,

Research: How to fold squares to fit into a corner. Origami boxes and more! by F.

Tempo.

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas.

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label the

materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your bookmark out. Test it to see if it stays in the corner when the

book is closed.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your teacher or

classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solution.

One Page Book Challenge/Problem:

How do you make a book from one sheet of paper?

Constraints: Material found in the SMARTE Space including

one sheet of paper

Research: Making books. Charlotte Stowell (741.6 STO)

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label

the materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your book out. Test to see if there are four pages when you

open your book

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your

teacher or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solu-

tion.

Cut here line only.

Tube or Cuff Bracelet Challenge/Problem

How do you make bracelet from recycled toilet paper rolls?

Constraints:

Material found in the SMARTE Space.

Research: Bracelet designs, Junk Drawer Jewelry. Rachel Di Salle (745.594 DI), Paper

gifts and jewelry. Florence Temko (745.54 TEM)

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to

label the materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your bracelet out. Test it to see if it fits or stays on your wrist.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your teacher or

classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solution.

Weaving Loom

Challenge/Problem

How do you make a weaving loom from recycled materials?

Constraints:

Material found in the SMARTE Space.

Research: How to weave in a circle pattern. Kids Weaving. Sarah Swett (746.1 SWE)

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label the

materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your loom. Test it to see if it holds the yarn while weaving.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your teacher or

classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solution.

Button Bracelet Challenge/Problem: How to make a bracelet from old buttons.

Constraints: an assortment of buttons, cording or thin ribbon, embroidery nee-

dle, and a ruler

Research: Closures for jewelry

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas. Junk Drawer Jewelry by Rachel Di Salle

(745.594 DI),

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label

the materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try out your bracelet. Check to make sure it will stay on the arm.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your

teacher or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your solu-

tion.

Helpful Hints: Average adult-sized bracelets are about 7 inches.

You will need a little more than twice the length of cord than the size of

bracelet.

Two hole buttons are easier to string than four hole buttons.

Keep the string going from one button to the other button on the same

side.

Challenge/Problem:

Constraints:

Research:

Brainstorm Solutions:

Planning:

Experiment:

Improve and/or Present:

No-Sew 10 Minute T-Shirt Tote Challenge/Problem: How to make a tote from recycled t-shirts.

Constraints: old t-shirts, fabric scissors

Research: styles of totes, 99 Ways to cut, sew, trim, and tie your t-shirt into

something special by Faith Blakeney, The Upcycled T-Shirt: 28 Easy-to-Make

Projects That Save the Planet by Jenelle Montilone

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas.

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label

the materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your tote on to check make sure it will hold different size

items.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your

teacher or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your so-

lution.

Challenge/Problem:

Constraints:

Research:

Brainstorm Solutions:

Planning:

Experiment:

Improve and/or Present:

DoddleBot 360 Challenge/Problem: How to make a robotic drawing tool.

Constraints: old CD or DVD, Dollar Store vibrating toothbrush, Magic Markers,

hot glue

Research: DoodleBot360 at makeitatyourlibrary.org.

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas.

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label

the materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try out your DoodleBot. Check to make sure it will move

smoothly across the paper.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your

teacher or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your so-

lution.

Challenge/Problem:

Constraints:

Research:

Brainstorm Solutions:

Planning:

Experiment:

Improve and/or Present:

Coffee Cup Cozy Challenge/Problem: How to make a cozy from felt scraps.

Constraints: assorted felt scraps, embroidery floss, straight pins, scissors, em-

broidery needle, a cardboard coffee cozy pattern, Velcro (optional)

Research: makeitatyourlibrary.org - Coffee Cup Cozy

Brainstorm Solutions: Draw out 3-4 ideas.

Planning: Choose your favorite design and draw all the parts. Be sure to label

the materials you will use on each part of the design.

Experiment: Try your cozy on a paper coffee cup. Check to make sure it will

stay on the cup.

Improve and/or Present: If solutions work present it by sharing with your

teacher or classmates. Be sure to take a picture to archive/document your so-

lution.

Free Standing Marble Run The Challenge: Create a 3 dimensional, free standing marble run. The marble must travel

at least 40 centimeters.

Tips:

Experiment with height of the starting point - how does the height impact the dis-

tance your marble travels?

How can you reduce the friction (which slows down objects) of your marble run?

Materials: The contents of the bag should be used to make your Marble Run but you do

not have to use them all. You may also use scissors, stapler, staples and tape.

Additional Challenge: Can you include at least 3 turns and/or 2 changes in the level of

your track and still have the marble travel 40 centimeters?

It’s in the Bag:

3 marbles a paper towel tube 3 large index cards 5 tongue depressors

10 paper clips

Taken from: Childhood 101; Create an Engineering Mystery Bag Challenge for Kids

Pom Pom Launcher The Challenge: Invent a device that launches a pom pom into the air. The ob-

ject of the challenge is to launch your pom pom the furthest.

Tips:

Think about devices that launch things into the air. How do they work?

Will you launcher be hand held , sit on the floor, or sit on the table?

Materials: The contents of the bag should be used to make your pom pom

launcher but you do not have to use them all. You may also use scissors, stapler

and staples.

It’s in the Bag:

3 pom poms 3 large index cards 2 paper drinking cups tape

4 drinking straws 4 rubber bands 3 feet of string 4 paper

clips

Taken from: Childhood 101; Create an Engineering Mystery Bag Challenge for Kids

Building Windmills The Challenge: Invent a windmill that rotates the fastest in a breeze.

Tips:

Think about the size and shape of the blades.

Mark one blade so it can be easily counted when rotating.

Materials: The contents of the bag should be used to make your windmill but

you do not have to use them all. You may also use scissors, tape or glue, stapler

and staples.

It’s in the Bag:

4 straws `` 4 craft sticks 4 index cards

Ruler Different weights of paper 4 rubber bands

4 paper clips paperclips / binder clips markers

Windmill will be tested 60cm from the fan set on high.

Taken from: Starfish Education

Solar Ovens The Challenge: Invent a solar oven that will melt a marshmallow in a s’more.

Tips:

Use medium pizza boxes from the same restaurant.

You will want to have paper or foil on the top and inside the bottom of the box.

Place your s’more on a paper plate when cooking in the box.

Materials: The contents of the bag should be used to make your solar oven

but you do not have to use them all. You may also use scissors, tape or glue, sta-

pler and staples.

It’s in the Bag:

Medium pizza box 2 feet of aluminum foil 2 craft sticks4

Black construction paper Red construction paper 1 Graham cracker

One large marshmallow 1 foot of wax paper A sunny day

Taken from: Starfish Education