Make For All Launches 2020 Call for Commitments to Support Maker-Centered Learning
Today, Citizen Schools’ Make For All initiative is launching its 2020 national call for commitments in support of maker-centered learning at FabxLive, the global Fab Lab Network conference, hosted by the Fab Foundation. In 2019, Make For All announced 50+ commitments, representing 295 organizations and partners in support of maker-centered learning, focused on empowering students to develop the mindset, skills and experiences that are critical to preparing them for the jobs of the future, being innovative problem-solvers and creative entrepreneurs. These commitments will serve more than 768,000 students in 149 communities across the U.S. through 2021.
Now, more than ever, we’re seeing how important it is to create inclusive, equitable and engaging learning opportunities for all students.
Commitments are new, specific and measurable actions which are developed and implemented through the creation of partnerships and initiatives. These commitments are important to sustain and grow efforts around maker-centered learning because they: 1) Encourage stakeholders to work together in ways that they might not have otherwise; 2) Showcase and celebrate the breadth and depth of work being done around maker-centered learning nationally; 3) Help identify challenges that need to be addressed and best practices that can be scaled.
After learning that capacity for providing maker-centered learning to K-12 students was a significant challenge for many of last year’s commitment makers, Citizen Schools’ developed and launched the Maker Fellows program. This year, 27 Fellows will be placed at 23 host sites (community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, makerspaces and non-profit organizations). Embedded in their communities, Maker Fellows will develop new maker-centered learning curriculum, build local networks of support for maker educators and have the opportunity to become thought leaders and advocates.
Jeff Smith, Director of Innovation and Equity for the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship describes, “Many communities are calling for makers to re-make our world. We are so excited to answer this call and expand our efforts to build a makerspace ecosystem within our member institutions and community partners. These efforts were reflected in our Make For All commitment last year. These efforts will continue through our partnership with Citizen Schools to build out the Maker Fellows program.”
Citizen Schools, in partnership with Make For All advisory council members Digital Promise, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Maker Ed, Makers for COVID-19, Nation of Makers, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, Reimagine America’s Schools and Schmidt Futures is inviting organizations, schools, colleges, universities, makerspaces, companies, museums, libraries and government agencies to develop commitments in support of maker-centered learning.
This year’s call for commitments for maker-centered learning will focus on four themes which directly address the challenges of COVID-19 and systemic racism.
Maker-centered learning at home - Creating experiences for all students to make outside of the classroom or makerspace regardless of resources available.
Problem solving for community resilience - Enabling all young people to solve problems in their local communities through maker-centered learning.
Anti-racism and inclusion - Addressing the lack of support for young people of color in maker-centered learning by fostering opportunities and environments that are culturally relevant, inclusive and equitable.
Mentorship - Growing all students’ interests in making by creating more role models and a network of support and encouragement.
Sonya Pryor-Jones, Chief Implementation Officer for the Fab Foundation notes, “As we work with the Make For All initiative and other partners to build a collaborative field for digital fabrication and making, I am hopeful that these commitments will help us to cultivate a just vision and broaden our reach and impact.”
Visit makersandmentors.org/makeforall to make a commitment and sign up for an upcoming commitments webinar to learn more about the process and hear from previous commitment makers.