XLIS, celebrated its first Maker Fair on May 18th. Our vision is to lead education through innovation and a student-centered, community driven approach. It was a fair where students had the opportunity to show work they had created and innovated with all kinds of materials, ideas and purposes and work towards our vision. Students also learned from each other by interacting with others and by viewing other creations.
Students prepared their own stations with their class work and personal work before the Maker Fair started. They made introduction posters for the target audiences. They were also aware that each student who came to the event had three stickers to give out to their favorite work. Their work needed to be well prepared in order to receive as many stickers as possible. On that day, we invited a huge humanoid robot, some Lego robots, and a drone show, which were offered by the Extra Curricular Activities STEM team. Students enjoyed controlling the Lego robots and the drones and received a pleasant surprise from the huge humanoid robot.
The Maker Fair is designed to help our community grow in their understanding of the Maker Movement. Constructionism is the theoretical foundation for maker learning based on creating, innovating, tinkering, exploring, building and sharing. Seymour Papert who developed this theory said that learning occurs not only through learners constructing meaning, but also through constructing real-world inventions which can be shared with others. Engaging in a Maker Fair means they have chances to be thinkers, risk takers, communicators and inquirers which are our schoolwide learner outcomes. Daily students can be makers in their classrooms. What’s more, they can come to the school Makerspace to use a wide range of materials, including traditional hand-craft tools as well as technologies. This way, students will be more equipped to face future challenges as they get a lot of practice in finding and solving problems around them.
Teachers’ and students’ comments and reflections:
Chad Boudreau-P3B homeroom teacher
The Maker Fair was a great opportunity for students from the PYP to see and compare what other classes have been doing. There were multiple exhibits that captured the attention of the students in class P3B that involved interactive and simulating learning experiences. One of our class projects at the Maker Fair was the 3-D models of lungs using plastic bottles, straws, clays and balloons to show how each major part functions when we breath. It was connected and supported one of our units of inquiry.
Alexandra Stewart-Primary Visual Arts Teacher
The Maker Fair this year was such a wonderful event! Walking around the display areas, one could clearly see the hard work and innovative thinking that went into our students’ work. It was so great to hear the students explain their projects to others. Their enthusiasm for innovation and creative thinking was very inspiring. I am looking forward to next year’s event already!
Joseph Barry-P5C homeroom teacher
Our school recently held a Maker Fair. This was a very exciting and interesting day for our students. They prepared very carefully in the weeks leading up to it, making a variety of inventions from different materials. It provided a great opportunity to showcase our students creativity and gave them great confidence to be risk takers.
At the Maker Fair, I made a model of my house（showing the energy uses at home） and I got 3 stickers. With my three stickers, I gave them to Colin’s work of energy sources, a robot car race, and my baby’s brother’s game machine. I love the Maker Fair and making something to show.
—— Gabrielle Liu in P4B
I like the Maker Fair because I went to the Makerspace and made something with friends. I also wanted to make nice works. Because I could get awards when I got many stickers. I was exciting and happy when I got many stickers in the end.
—— Irene Kim in P5C
Click here to check more details.
Author: Maggie Qiu (Primary Maker Space Teacher)
