MAKING + LEARNING in Museums and Libraries A PRACTITIONER’S GUIDE AND FRAMEWORK

MAKING+LEARNING is a cooperative agreement between the CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH and the INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY 1 : INTRO D U CT IO N

SERVICES. This project

Framework Development

was led by PETER

A Note on Language

WARDRIP and LISA BRAHMS from CMP and CHRISTOPHER REICH

2: P URPO S E

and TIM CARRIGAN

Case Study: Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

4 : P I E CE S & PARTS

from IMLS. The project

Case Study:

Case Study:

is supported by

UNC Chapel Hill Kenan Library

New York Hall of Science

thought partners MIKE

Case Study:

Case Study:

PETRICH and KAREN

Lawrence Hall of Science

Cleveland Public Library

Partner Perspective:

Case Study:

Andrea Saenz, Chicago Public Library

Chattanooga Public Library Partner Perspective:

3: PEO PLE Case Study:

Karen Wilkinson and Mike Petrich, Exploratorium

WILKINSON from the Exploratorium, ANDREA SAENZ from the Chicago Public Library, ADAM ROGERS from North Carolina State

Westport Public Library

5 : LE ARN I N G

University Libraries and

Science Museum of Minnesota

Models of Learning

LISA REGALLA from

Case Study:

Partner Perspective:

Case Study:

Arkansas & Oklahoma Networks Partner Perspective: Adam Rogers, North Carolina State University

the Maker Education

Lisa Regalla and Stephanie Chang, Maker Ed Initiative. Learn more at

makingandlearning.org 6 . CON CLUS I ON Credits and References

Executive Summary The framework can help guide museum and library professionals who are new to makerspaces in the development of a space, and help seasoned veterans reflect on their maker work thus far.

Many

libraries and museums have

making experiences, activities and/or spaces align

made a commitment to

with and further the goals of a making program

support the establishment of maker programs

and connect to the organization’s overall mission?

or makerspaces. Despite the recent growth of these investments, the field knows surprisingly

Element 2: People

little about how to support learning within these

People play an important role for learning through

spaces.

making in museums and libraries. Educators, librarians, volunteers and guest makers are used

This report introduces a framework to support

in a variety of ways based on a program’s goals.

learning in library and museum makerspaces. The

Constraints such as funding and capacity to

framework demonstrates how we can create the

manage staff are also a factor. What role do people

conditions for ambitious learning experiences to

play in managing, monitoring and facilitating

unfold within the making experience.

learning in a makerspace or program?

The project has been carried out through a

Element 3: Pieces And Parts

cooperative agreement between the Institute

Making is a “hands-on” approach to learning and

of Museum and Library Services and Children’s

the tools and materials selected should dovetail

Museum of Pittsburgh. Several thought partners

with the program’s goals and the capacity of the

have also been critical to this work and have

staff. What tools, materials and architecture are

provide