Maker Fellows Learning Pathway
This Learning Pathway was a 7-month professional and leadership development experience for AmeriCorps Maker Fellows.
Background:
The AmeriCorps Maker Fellows program partners with community colleges and historically black colleges and universities and is designed to connect K-12 students to maker-centered learning opportunities that help students build the academic and social emotional skills key to their success in school, postsecondary enrollment and workforce placement. AmeriCorps Maker Fellows, through service in their local communities and participation in targeted professional development, will become life-long leaders and champions of maker-centered learning and mentorship for under-served students.
Here’s a screenshot of a virtual workshop session with AmeriCorps Maker Fellows!
My Role:
I designed the 7-month learning arc and facilitated all workshop sessions with 24 AmeriCorps Maker Fellows in a variety of makerspace programs across the country. I developed all resources and content, invited guest speakers with different expertise to enhance the learning experience of Fellows, and managed the overall partnership.
In addition, I executed all logistics, communications, evaluation, gathered feedback and collaborated with the Makers + Mentors Program Team to plan for and respond to the needs of the participants.
I designed the pathway with these three focus areas:
Pedagogy and Research: Knowledge, based in evidence, that makes the case for the impact of maker-centered learning with a focus on making as a liberatory-practice that supports equitable outcomes.
Techniques: Liberatory Approaches to Designing Maker Activities and Curriculum and Models for Establishing New Sustainable Partnerships with Stakeholders.
Tools: Frameworks, metrics, and guides to help assess impact of maker-centered learning on students and develop long term plans around maker-centered learning rooted in equity and justice.
In one workshop session, we created mini-zines to capture ideas of documentation that can support us to tell the stories of our programmatic work. (image source)
Sequence of Workshops
Maker Fellows Leadership Institute (4 days)
From Hero to Host: Challenging the Hero Narrative to Develop Maker-Centered Programs
Crafting Cultures of Storytelling: Leveraging Social Media for Maker-Centered Learning
Teaching and Learning in the Maker-Centered Classroom: Naming Strategies, Outcomes, and Benefits
What is Maker Empowerment? Developing a Sensitivity to Design.
Resource Mobilization: Grant Research and Writing a Case for Support
Bridging Liberatory Practices and Maker Education
In this workshop session, we created artifacts representing the leadership qualities we want to embody. (image source)
Testimonials
“[This] learning pathway has not only impacted how I teach maker centered learning but how I make and create. Everything I have learned here will be carried throughout my life as an educator and as a person in society. I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow as a maker with all of my fellow fellows. Truly a wonderful experience!
“The support I received from strangers felt like I've known them for a long time. It felt comforting and loving and like I had this big family who knows I'm going to excel . I love the energy and support which is more beneficial than money.”
“I learned more about making and consistently brought back new ideas and concepts, particularly around inclusion, cultural relevance, and accessibility. It made me reflect more on my work and think about it from different perspectives.”
“Coming into the meetings knowing I was going to participate in something completely different from my usual day to day, regardless of how much I learned, it kept me engaged and excited to come back.”
“Every session was engaging and fun learning the material and being able to learn and share with my fellow fellows was the best part.”