STEM Literacies in Makerspaces

This book offers powerful resources for researchers and practitioners about the opportunities for robust learning that entails multiple literacies, critical problem solving, and identity development connected to the integration of science, technology and mathematics learning. Its wide scope includes lessons from sites ranging from schools to community settings to professional spaces; and in so doing provides unusual breadth in articulating foundational principles that can be adapted across multiple contexts with lessons for multiple stakeholders. The design principles grow out of systematic and longitudinal empirical research across real world settings. It is a timely publication with the exponential growth of makerspaces within formal and informal institutional settings. It is especially innovative in articulating expansive literacies that are not only required for impactful STEM learning, but equally important for critical problem solving across domains and across the life cycle. It will prove to be a consequential resource for this growing movement. --Carol D. Lee, Northwestern University, USA Tucker-Raymond and Gravel offer deep and critical insights into the ways in which literacy practices serve as important entryways for how, why and for what reasons people make. This book offers an assets-driven and deeply layered narrative of the work of makers across spaces and time, opening up dialogue on what constitute STEM-rich maker literacies, and the wide and dynamic meshwork of expertise and supports that nurture, expand and shape them. This rich framing advances how equity considerations can be taken up in making spaces, as well as possibilities of powerful design approaches for enacting these ideals in practice. There is much to learn from this text and the guiding principles put forth regarding new approaches to democratizing STEM-rich making spaces. For too long, STEM education has contributed to the de-humanization of people and communities, rendering lives and rich literacy practices invisible. Working towards design approaches that disrupt these norms is deeply exciting and much needed work. -Angela Calabrese Barton, Michigan State University, USA