Note: the Maker Ed Summer Institute requires an application to attend. Applications were due on March 25th, 2019 and are now closed. If you’d like to hear about future professional development events and opportunities as soon as they are announced, consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter!
The Maker Ed Summer Institute will bring together maker educators and advocates to build a community of practice in support of powerful maker education programs. Through a combination of workshops, discussions, skill sharing, break-outs, reflection and collaborative work time, we will deepen our practice, learn from each other, and design together for equity in our respective programs and across the movement. During the Institute, we will examine maker education through the critical lenses of Maker Ed’s values: equity, agency, community, learning, and joy.
Event Details:
The Institute is designed for educators, administrators, and professional development providers who work in schools, libraries, museums, makerspaces, and other educational settings. As a capacity-building organization, Maker Ed’s goal is not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all strategy or methodology, but to support you to build and design an approach that fits your resources and context. Throughout the Institute, we will spend significant time engaging in hands-on learning together, creating projects, lessons, and tools for you to implement at your site. We will also reflect on and plan for our programs through the lenses of equity and sustainability.
About half of the Institute will consist of content developed and led by Maker Ed & Maker Ed’s partners. The rest of the week will offer opportunities for participant collaboration, co-learning, co-development, and sharing.
The Institute will include the following:
- A choice of one of the following Learning Strands – early in the week we will provide training and content and later in the week there will be structured opportunities for co-design and collaboration to build on the expertise of participants.
- Program Development & Planning – Involves all elements of program development, from visioning to infrastructure to long-term integration to staff capacity and training
- Activity or Curriculum Design & Facilitation – Focuses on development and facilitation of specific maker-based experiences, integrated into any learning environment or program
- Assessment & Evaluation – Centers around approaches and resources that help to identify and assess key learning outcomes and skills
- A focus of equity* and sustainability** woven into the Institute throughout, as well as sessions that specifically explore these topics
- Opportunities for participant-led discussions, skill sharing, and hands-on projects
- Outside speakers, networking opportunities, and meals together
Location and Dates:
The Maker Ed Institute will be hosted at the Maker Ed Community Studio in Berkeley, CA from Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28, 2019. Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily, and we will host a networking dinner on the evening of Tuesday, June 25.
Specific times are listed below:
- Monday: 3pm – 6:30pm
- Tuesday: 8:30am – 9:00pm (with dinner)
- Wednesday & Thursday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
- Friday: 8:30am – 3:00pm
Location: The Maker Ed Community Studio, located at 1808 5th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
Testimonials:
Participants at Maker Ed’s previous workshops have said the following about their experiences:
“This was by far the most valuable way I have spent any 3 days in these first 3 years of my career in education. You have created a space and workshop that by far exceeds the level of professional development I have been exposed to in the two school districts I have worked for.”
“I would recommend this workshop to EVERY educator, no matter their interest in maker education. The concepts and language you introduce are so accessible that I think anyone could integrate at least some part of your framework into their curriculum. Also, your facilitation is friendly and open.”
“I grew in my content knowledge. I left with extremely impactful PD plans (learning experiences) for my school staff.“
Event Fees and Application Overview:
In order to best meet the learning needs of Institute participants, and to ensure a balance of educators from different program/organization types, identities, interests, and youth populations served, there is an application process for the Maker Ed Institute. We strongly encourage applicants from a range of backgrounds, particularly from historically marginalized communities most impacted by the consequences of an unjust educational system.
If possible, we encourage applications from teams of educators working within the same program, district, or organization. Teams who will contribute to the increased diversity of the program will be given preference during the review process. Individual educators may also apply to attend the institute.
Application and Registration Timeline
- Applications due: March 25, 2019
- Applicants notified of status: April 10, 2019
- Registration and payment deadline: May 15, 2019
Tuition for the institute is $1500 per person, and does not include travel or lodging costs. Upon acceptance to the Institute, you will receive information about hotel blocks.
If you are concerned about covering the cost of lodging, we encourage you to submit an application and indicate any financial constraints in your application. We have a scholarship fund for educators working at institutions serving low-income communities (e.g., Title I). Please indicate the support level you need when you fill out the application, and we will work to ensure funding for your attendance if your application is accepted.
*Equity: Every child gets what they need in our schools, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, how they identify, who their parents are, what their temperament is, or what they show up knowing or not knowing. Every child gets what they need to develop the creativity, knowledge, and skills to be ready for life. (Elena Aguilar)
**Sustainability: A program will maintain itself at a specific level and/or grow responsibly. Sustainability ensures that a program will continue into the foreseeable future.