Space and Facilitation Effects on Engagement of Children in a Museum Makerspace: Maximizing Limited Resources

Abstract

There is a clear trend in children’s museums, even small museums, to develop makerspaces dedicated to putting real tools and materials in the hands of young children. To ensure the quality of these exhibit and program spaces, the field needs to look closely at the makerspace environment, the interventions that occur within the space, and their effect on children’s engagement and endeavors.Footnote1 Given the operational constraints of museums, especially smaller museums, it is essential to understand how to best support learning in makerspaces designed for children. In a 2-year case study of a makerspace in a small children’s museum, characteristics of the space and interventions applied there were documented and analyzed to suggest effective practices for engaging children in making. An observation rubric was developed and used along with facilitator interviews to examine how children developed comfort with new and familiar tools and materials, and to identify environmental design features and characteristics of distinct interventions that foster and disrupt engagement and understanding within the makerspace.

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