Encouraging Kids To Join The Maker Movement

Imagine allowing your children break things apart and try to make something out of the pieces. How about letting your thirteen year old use a saw? Watching as your kid tinkers with electronics?

It all sounds a bit scary, doesn’t it?

As technology continues to dominate every part of society, it is critical that children have the opportunity to develop these skills.

Recently, I stumbled upon a show on Disney+ that emphasizes this feeling, Shop Class. Shop Class is a family-friendly show that features groups of three, two students and one mentor, in a Maker Competition. Groups are given the same project goal and left free to design and build their own interpretations. The projects take place in what looks like a garage/workshop and the groups are given all of the resources and room they need to bring their work to life. The results have truly amazed me and have covered everything from rocket ship free libraries, to castle golf courses, to skate ramps made from office desks. These students are extremely impressive.

As a child, I always grew up with the belief that I would “get there.” I just have to reach Step X and I’ll be able to do what that person is doing, or, when I have a degree I can do that. This show has the power to inspire children believe that they are ready now, they just have to get started.

A lot of the concepts the kids are learning and practicing in this show are skills that I entered college not even dreaming about because I didn’t think I was capable. Many of the design problems the groups run into are challenges I’ve faced throughout the process of Run Dry such as:

• Durability vs. aesthetic
• Prioritizing with a deadline
• Understanding your materials/sustainability
• Environmental aspects
• Patience
• Safety features
• Transportation/modularity

Not only are the children learning how to handle these type of problems from their mentors, judges, and guest stars, but the mentors are learning from their students. Kids possess imagination and excitement like no other. The storytelling element that comes from these young minds shines through on every project that comes out of this show.

What really sold me on this show was the enjoyment it brought the kids participating in it. In the middle of a build in episode two, contestant Bella, who is thirteen years old, looks ecstatic as she shares,

“This is fun. I like this. I want to do more.”

This type of attitude should be encouraged throughout a child’s education. Many kids become scared when the hear the words “math,” “physics,” “construction,” “engineering.” Hands-on projects offer skills in all of these departments in a much more disguised way. The hands-on aspect also offers independence, allowing your children to be able to build their way through life, rather than strictly be a consumer. Kids will develop quick problem-solving skills instead of running away when confronted with a hardship.

A detail I’m really glad Disney didn’t miss is finding female role models for Shop Class. One of the mentors from the show, Kim, a long-time shop teacher, introduces herself with,

“You know there aren’t enough girls in science and shop and, we’ve got to get them there, and that’s why I do what I do.”

Kim really stuck out to me as a strong role-model because when one of her students expresses their frustration to her, “I don’t think we can fix that.” Kim responds confidently, “Really? You don’t think we can fix that? We’re rocket scientists.” She treats her kids like equals, constantly reminding them through the course of the project that they all had even contributions to their mini golf course hole. The show incorporates other female role-models such as various female Imagineers, and guest judges like professional golf champion, Michelle Wie.

Having these projects be judged by famous architects, interior designers, Imagineers, etc., may sound counter-productive. Aren’t we trying to develop skills, not critique them? The judges do an amazing job of offering assistance to the teams throughout the entire process. They share professional feedback based on their experiences and open the teams eyes to a fresh perspective that they may have missed. In episode three, after hearing from interior designer, Lauren Makk, fourteen year old Claire mentions, “Lauren’s visit was super encouraging and inspiring because, the way we’re designing everything, and since she’s a decorator, this really inspired me to keep doing what I was doing.” You can see that these judges are offering meaningful advice and the pressure adds a layer of professionalism for the students.

Allow your children to the ability to explore, let them fail and start again, nurture their curiosity, because as Teresa Gonczy, a member of the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Makerspace, writes,

“Through changing the way kids (and adults) learn, we can build a new world and create the next generation of entrepreneurs. Education isn’t just about what happens in schools — education is happening all around you, every day — and you always have a choice as to how and what you’re going to educate yourself about.” (https://women2.com/2012/12/24/why-the-maker-movement-needs-to-be-kid-and-family-friendly/).

So put some trust into your students and children and guide them as they take control of their own lives. Set them up to be able to take care of themselves rather than be taken care of. Provide the type of learning that engages and excites instead of tests and competes.

*The photo used in this publication is property of Decider.com.*