Facilitator Tips

One of the most common challenges we come across is: how do we, as educators, step away from the role of knowledge-provider, sage-on-the-stage, and teacher-centered deliverer and grow into facilitators of learning, happily standing on the sidelines to guide, coach, and support? We bring together a collection of resources that provide tips & tricks on how that looks.

Watch our video on Tips for Facilitating Maker LearningTrying to build a program that pushes youth to invent something new? Thinking about how youth can solve problems while skill-building and developing confidence? How might you set up opportunities for youth to present, share, and showcase? Learn more from our friends and partners!

And read more about the Role of Young Makers Mentorsmentors_thumbnail

  • What do mentors do
  • The power of language in supporting young makers
  • And our top 10 tips!

These resources draw from a variety of learning environments, whether afterschool programs, invention camps, museum drop-in spaces, or formal K-12 classrooms.  As you review them, consider:

  • What practices are your favorites? David Wells talks about putting your hands in your pockets as a facilitator. Have you tried that, and/or are there genius ideas that you incorporate?
  • As traditional teacher or lecturers, what habits are hard to break?
  • Our Young Makers program has engaged educators AND mentors (STEM professionals, parent volunteers, teen volunteers, skill experts, etc) over the years, with the line often blurring between the two. In thinking about mentorship, what sorts of lessons translate to educator practices too?
  • How might the physical learning environment scaffold and support youth-centered learning?

These resources were developed with the generous support of the Lemelson Foundation.