Whenever I go to a conference or a maker event, I bring gifts. A small topo map of Virginia for the FabLearn conference, makerspace starter kits and business card flashlights for education conferences or personalized gifts for fellow makers at Maker Faire. I’m lucky to have access to a makerspace filled with shiny tools. The purpose of all these tools is to make things that fill a need for other people.
Makerspaces should embrace giving as a core value.
Educational makerspaces are for learning. Giving is a powerful framework for maker education. Teaching students to be producers instead of consumers, makers instead of takers.
It is no mistake that the Stanford d.school uses gift-giving as one of their Design Project Zero activity themes. http://dschool.stanford.edu/use-our-methods/design-project-zero-a-90-minute-experience/ It is no accident that the most popular makerspace stories are makers gifting 3D printed prosthetics. http://enablingthefuture.org/
In my school part of our mission is to help students live a life of significance. When I help my advisory students with goal setting, the most difficult one is always the service goal. What can you do to help other people? Students struggle with this question. Making gifts is one way to help students develop an answer.
Service learning entwined with the concepts of empathy and giving can be seen in Brookwood’s 3D Design Problem Bank Project. http://designproblembank.weebly.com/
Student made gifts during Maker Club.
Kevin Jarrett had some nice examples in his Twitter feed recently.
Becky did a fantastic job on this engraving for Mr. Vain. Great to see kids designing for … https://t.co/nsTfHZ54em pic.twitter.com/3S9WCyo3CP
— Kevin Jarrett (@kjarrett) December 24, 2016
Vivian did a fantastic job with this present, similar to Becky's, 1/4" acrylic on wood. #n… https://t.co/KN2ZbN6Fh8 pic.twitter.com/zZ6Mj4PRx7
— Kevin Jarrett (@kjarrett) December 24, 2016
Educational makerspaces also provide gifts to students.
Gift of access.
Gift of making.
Gift of empowerment.
Gift of knowledge.
Gift of confidence.
Gift of self-discovery.
Please share thoughts and examples about gifting culture in the makerspace in the comments of contact me on Twitter @DesignMakeTeach.
Josh, I really think you’re onto something here; though I think the pasta just fell. LOL. No, really though; I think that gifting something you make is definitely a completely different animal than gifting something store bought where no making skill goes into the design and evolution of the concept.
What if kids started on the design process early on in the year so they can actually determine what to make and gift? Also how would students evaluate if what they’re giving is actually necessary? This made me think of one of Edith’s bigger questions: “Under which circumstances are individuals more likely to hold onto their current views, or let go of them? What does it take to change mindsets?”
Josh, thank you for this post and for acknowledging my students’ work. Empathy is at the core of what we do, and it’s the first word in our mantra (CARE | THINK | DESIGN | ACT) … so, we spend a lot of time thinking about how to use our superpowers (and the tools in our makerspace) for good, to serve others, and to make the world a better place. Like we say, don’t just make, make things that matter.
The laser engraver has upped our game significantly, and, I’m happy to say, the vast majority of kid-directed products & projects have been things made for others (“can I laser cut something for [insert name]?”). I know for a fact that many households in our community had holiday presents designed and produced in my shop. It’s great feeling.
Now, as we move into 2017, our focus on entrepreneurship becomes even sharper – as we pivot, strategically – still focused on human centered design but with a twist: we want to market the things we make. So, don’t just make things that matter – make things that matter, for a profit.
Stay tuned!
-kj-
Love this topic! I have been doing a year-long project with 4th grade (in year three) where they make toys. This year they are making toys for their “little sisters” in the 1st grade. I am amazed at the level of investment, and it’s clear to me that care deeply about making something that their little sister will love. The giving seems to be an added motivator.