STEAM Makers

Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom
2. Revised Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-0719-8107-8
Verlag: SAGE Publications Inc

Buch, Englisch, 192 Seiten, Format (B × H): 177 mm x 254 mm

Empower creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in your classroom!

As STEAM and Making become essential components of fostering student readiness for career, college, and beyond, this new edition of STEAM Makers offers innovative ways to integrate creativity, technology, and hands-on problem-solving into daily practice.

With a renewed focus on emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, and a global perspective, STEAM Makers provides educators with fresh approaches to cultivating students’ curiosity, innovation, and discovery skills. Readers will gain actionable strategies, from designing student-centered makerspaces to connecting with local and global partners, and learn from inspiring success stories from classrooms worldwide. This updated resource includes:

- Case studies, vignettes, and photographs of projects

- Practical and ready-to-use activities and STEAM Maker Starters

- Integration of emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to foster 21st-century skills

- An expanded focus on ensuring equitable and inclusive opportunities for all

With STEAM Makers, educators will gain the tools to inspire meaningful learning experiences that drive curiosity, creativity, and engagement. By fostering a mindset of exploration and design, educators can empower their students to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Maslyk, Jacie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1. WONDER
HISTORY OF STEM
WHAT ARE THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE?
ADDING THE A
LEFT BRAIN VERSUS RIGHT BRAIN
THE MAKER MOVEMENT
MAKER EDUCATION INITIATIVE
FIVE PILLARS OF STEAM AND MAKER EDUCATION
WHAT DOES MAKING LOOK LIKE IN SCHOOLS?
FIND IT! (SPACE)
FILL IT! (MATERIALS)
STAFF IT! (PEOPLE)
BUILD CURIOSITY AND WONDER
THE MINDSET
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
BUT WHAT ABOUT STANDARDS AND STATE ASSESSMENTS?
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS
SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES
CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS
CORE AREAS
EXPANDING STANDARDS
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CREATIVE IN A STANDARDS-BASED SYSTEM?
SUMMARY
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING
CHAPTER 2. THRIVE
DISTRICT LEADERSHIP
PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP
CHANGE MAKERS
PARENTS AND COMMUNITY
SOCIAL MEDIA MAKERS
BRIGANTINE SCHOOL DISTRICT: CREATING SPACES WHERE LEARNERS THRIVE
GAME MAKERS
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNERS TO THRIVE
ELEMENTS OF GAME DESIGN
A THRIVING STEAM MAKER ECOSYSTEM
THE SCOTT FAMILY AMAZEUM
HELPING LEARNERS TO THRIVE
SUMMARY
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING
CHAPTER 3. ADAPT
HOW SHOULD K–12 ENGINEERING BE TAUGHT?
SYSTEMS THINKING
CREATIVITY
OPTIMISM
COLLABORATION
COMMUNICATION
ATTENTION TO ETHICS
ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS
HABITS OF MIND
CREATIVITY IN DESIGN
ALL INCLUSIVE
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (ELL)
STUDENTS WITH AUTISM
ENSURING ACCESS TO STEM
THE IMPACT OF AI ON STEAM AND MAKING
ADAPTING OUR APPROACH
SUMMARY
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING
CHAPTER 4. CONNECT
STEAM MAKER TEACHING
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
CONNECTED LEARNING
CREATIVE TEAMS
LITERATURE CONNECTIONS
LEADING FROM THE LIBRARY
SPEAKING, LISTENING, AND THINKING CONNECTIONS
SUMMARY
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING
CHAPTER 5. INVITE
INVITING THE OUTSIDE IN
INVITING COLLABORATION
AN OPEN INVITATION
INVITING STUDENTS TO USE THEIR VOICE
ACTIVITIES THAT INVITE LEARNERS IN
GET CREATIVE CHALLENGE
ONE WORD DESIGNS
INVITING LEARNERS INTO THE SPACE
A GLOBAL INVITATION TO CREATE
SUMMARY
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING
CHAPTER 6. PARTNER
REMAKE LEARNING
A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM
CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
PARTNER ON A LOCAL PROJECT
ARTISTS AS PARTNERS
CONNECT TO LOCAL EXPERTS
ESTABLISH CORPORATE PARTNERS
EXPLORING PARTNERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AS PARTNERS
CONNECT WITH THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
SUMMARY
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING
CHAPTER 7. EXPAND
GROWING PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS
EXPANDING MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
EXPANDING OUR ROLES
EXPAND YOUR PROGRAMS THROUGH GRANTS
MY PERSPECTIVE
SUMMARY
Appendices
APPENDIX A. GAME DESIGN PLANNING SHEET
APPENDIX B. DESIGN CHALLENGE TEMPLATE
APPENDIX C. STUDENT INTEREST SURVEYS
APPENDIX D. DESIGN PLAN TEMPLATE
APPENDIX E. BOOKS TO START YOUR STEM LIBRARY
APPENDIX F. GET CREATIVE DESIGN TEMPLATE
APPENDIX G. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE TO PROMOTE SOCIAL GOOD
APPENDIX H. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS EXTENSION IDEAS
APPENDIX I. MAKERSPACE SUPPLY LIST A–Z
APPENDIX J. CHOICE BOARDS
APPENDIX K. LET’S MAKE SLIME
References and Additional Resources
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Maslyk, Jacie
Jacie Maslyk, EdD, has served in public education over the past twenty-eight years. During that time, she has served in many roles. As a classroom teacher and reading specialist, she worked in both inner city and suburban school districts. She served as an elementary school principal and director of elementary education for ten years, with extensive experience in curriculum, assessment, and instruction. A successful school leader, she was recognized as a National Distinguished Principal finalist in Pennsylvania in 2013 and 2014. Dr, Maslyk worked in district administration as an Assistant Superintendent before moving into her current role as an instructional coach and educational consultant, supporting schools through professional learning and job-embedded coaching. She provides workshops (on-site and virtual), model lessons, and curriculum support to school districts and educational organizations across the country.
In addition to STEAM Makers: Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom, Jacie has also published Connect to Lead: Power Up Your Learning Network to Move Your School Forward, Remaking Literacy: Innovative Instructional Strategies for Maker Learning, Unlock Creativity: Opening a World of Imagination With Your Students, and All In: Taking a Gamble in Education.
Connect with Jacie on Bluesky @jaciemaslyk.bsky.social, X @DrJacieMaslyk, Instagram @jaciemaslyk or email her at [e-mail]