Since the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in young people who are being home-educated. As a response to this social change, we decided to run a Maker City project throughout June. This was specifically for home-educated young people and their parent-teachers to come to KWMC The Factory and take part in alternative STEAM education. This also included offering Continuing Professional Development for the parent-teachers. Creating a space where young people and their parents could learn and create together felt truly inspirational.
We designed a variety of activities which allowed the young people and parent-teachers to learn both collaboratively and independently, experimenting with hands-on proto-typing and engineering tasks, leading to sophisticated digital fabrication.
The cohort thrived in our community Maker Space, and we witnessed the group bloom in skills, confidence and a sense of empowerment. By the end of the month, the group had 3D-designed boats using Tinker CAD, learnt how to operate Sphero robots, designed an entire city based on their personal social action passions, laser cut name badges, built propeller boats to race across a swimming pool and designed, UV printed and heat-pressed their own family flags.
We have built strong relationships with this local cohort and are hoping to continue working together in the future. Thank you for all the helpful feedback we received from both parents and young people. Here is one of our favourite quotes;
‘The combination of discussion, design and practical activities worked well. I gained an understanding of new software and different machinery which is available to use. We wish there were more home-ed sessions, we loved it – thank you!’
parent-teacher
