Emily Thomas is a Technology Integrator and Trainer for Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916 in Minnesota. Her most recent project is an accessible STEAM Mobile Makerspace that provides differentiated activities for students from pre-K through post-high school. Tune in to this episode to find out how Emily is bringing accessible makerspace activities to the learners in her school district.
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Guest: Emily Thomas
Emily is a Technology Integrator and Trainer for Northeast Metro Intermediate School District 916, a former middle school German Teacher, and a Google Certified Trainer & Coach and ISTE Certified Educator. Throughout her time at 916, she has worked with staff and students to grow their instructional technology skills and meets everyone where they are at.
Her most recent project is an accessible STEAM Mobile Makerspace that will provide emergent education technology access to all students from pre-K through post-high school transition students. The kits provide students a differentiated means to complete different STEAM activities matched to their unique needs and abilities so every student has the opportunity to explore topics, like computational thinking, design thinking, robotics, VR and AR, and 3D printing!
Connect with Emily on Instagram or Twitter @ektedtech
Makerspace Resources from Emily
Presentation on Emily’s Makerspace
Video about Emily’s Makerspace
Makerspace Expectations
Emily and her team have created a short list of expectations that are suitable for all students and staff participating in makerspace activities. We appreciate how clear and simple these are:
Be safe
Be respectful
Share
Ask for help when needed
Fail forward
Building Strong Connections
“It’s my goal to...meet everybody where they’re at. We’re going to grow together.“
Emily Thomas, Cultivating Connection Podcast
Emily works with many students and teachers. She shared in this episode that her key to building strong connections is to help each person to grow from where they’re at. It’s about your own journey, not about your neighbour’s journey or the teacher down the hall. You are where you are and you will make progress in your own direction.
“It’s such a good use of my time to be part of those communities because I get so many great ideas from talking to other educators.”
Emily Thomas, Cultivating Connection Podcast
on connecting with other educators
Emily shared how being connected to others through communities such as ISTE Community Leaders and Google Educators helps her break out of a rut, get new ideas and build relationships with others.
Advice for Starting with Makerspace
If you’re just starting with makerspace activities, Emily gives the following advice:
Don’t be afraid of it.
Start small.
Use something you already have.
Ask for help and collaborate with other educators.
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