Kerra Samuel

Samuel’s innovative teaching idea, “Maker-space Magic!,” will allow students to be creative with recycled materials to produce something new and inventive. Students will get out of the traditional norm of sitting for a prolonged period of time working with paper and pencil and get the opportunity to have their imagination and creativity come alive as they engage in meaningful thought processes and discussion with other classmates while working with their hands. They will use recycled materials and other supplies along with a computer or tablet to do research, get ideas, and formulate those ideas in online discussions. Using supplies including cardboard, pipe cleaners, rulers, pencils, paper, and old electronic devices, students will create magic by developing something new such as turning pieces of cardboard into jewelry boxes or pencil holders or using parts from the old electronic devices to create miniature robots for them to program. The goal of the program is to allow students to understand what learning is all about.