This post describes my experience at a maker project workshop at the DRIVEN school.
On September 16, 2023, I went to a workshop hosted at the DRIVEN school. This is a makerspace with multiple technologies that people could use for their projects. In this case, I wanted to explore the laser cutter because it seemed accessible to use. My long-term goal is to hopefully set up and run a makerspace at a high school. This made me realize that for something to be accessible, it has to be available for everyone. The cool thing about the laser cutter at this makerspace was that it could easily be used to carry around. Especially with maker technology, a lot of it is expensive, which would prevent more underprivileged schools from getting access to it. This prevents students from engaging in maker activities, making them less likely to see themselves as makers.
I explored the laser cutter and its software, seeing how I could make a design. I decided to make a simple coat of arms design as a small throwback to a prior maker project that I have done. I also wanted it to be like some sort of decor for my classroom so that I can use it in the future. This was also the first time I have used a laser cutter without being heavily watched over. I liked that I got the chance to play around with the software and let my imagination and my mind run wild and explore the different features found in the software.
Overall, I really enjoyed this experience. I enjoy finding different ways to explore my imagination and express my creativity. When I started my apprentice teaching semester a few weeks before, I had also started to realize that my students enjoy the same thing. Being an underprivileged students though, they struggled to have access to other ways to express their creativity. This experience has helped me realize how much of an impact I can make when I provide students with more tools to broaden their creativity and engage in making.
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