A Makerspace: How to Incorporate it into Your Classroom: Organic Compounds Posters

The makerspace in my classroom is used almost daily. Students used it last week to design organic compounds posters. These posters were the culminating activity after students were taught about the 4 types of organic compounds and what makes up organic compounds. After the direct instruction was finished, videos watched, and labs completed, I wanted students to create a poster, they could share with the class, of all the information in this unit.

When students created these posters, they had already used the makerspace several times and were well-prepared to chose supplies and design.The entire makerspace was open to students, rather than just going to play-doh as with the giant cells, students were more adventurous and chose random supplies found below in the cardboard boxes. Noodles, beans, buttons etc. were chosen to create the posters.

Students had one entire class period of 50 minutes to research and collaborate to determine how their poster was going to look. The second day they were given 20 minutes to complete the poster, noodles and all. Finally, the rest of the class period students shared their posters with the class. Then they placed some of them on the interactive word wall for all to see.

I gave students the information I wanted to see on their posters, but how they added it was their own choice. 1-What are the 4 types of organic compounds 2-What are all organic compounds made of? (elements) 3-Explain why something is organic or inorganic. As students shared their posters we discussed their accuracy and discussed how if needed, they could have been more clear on their definitions. Feedback was instant.

There were no management issues as my classes have been working collaboratively with the makerspace since the first week of school.