Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces

Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces is a series of free engineering design challenges for students to engage with emerging technologies through hands-on learning. Inspired by Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, these activities bridge formal science education and the makerspace movement by helping educators and teachers engage with digital and physical technologies within the context of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) by asking them to make something new.

Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces include 3-D models and thoughtfully designed lesson plans that will guide educators and students throughout the engineering design process by observing, making, designing and testing solutions to a problem.

• Use Smithsonian resources to introduce the topics
• Teacher support is provided through step-by-step instructions
• Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards
• Available for free
• Designed for grades 1-5 
• Can be used in the classroom and makerspaces

Science of Innovation 

Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. But to engineer Mary Frecker of Pennsylvania State University (PSU), it is the future for designing tools that could be used in fields such as medicine and space exploration. In this "Science of Innovation" video, produced in partnership with the National Science Foundation and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you will learn how art, STEM, and innovation come together in a true "makerspace" housed at PSU.

How an Unplugged Approach to Computational Thinking Can Move Schools to Computer Science

In this article, learn how educators can take an "unplugged" approach to teaching computational thinking in classrooms that may not have access to computers. Read on EdSurge.

Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces was developed with support from Johnson & Johnson. 

Johnson & Johnson, through its Family of Companies, is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly based health care company, with products and services for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical device markets. J&J has been named by Fortune as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies.

Spanish translations for the Smithsonian Science for Makerspaces challenges are made possible by a grant from the Smithsonian Women’s Committee.