50 Resources for Makers and Creative Classrooms

If you’re anything like us, you’re always looking for new inexpensive (or better yet, free) resources that can introduce more students to STEM and maker education. There are a lot out there, but the really useful ones can be hard to find.

Here, we’re excited to share 50 resources that we think are doing a great job of expanding access and pushing the envelope.

Maker Resources

• Adafruit: DIY electronics & kits
• AgentSheets: Game design for kids 
• Arduino: Open-source electronics prototyping platform
• Blink Blink: Designs maker kits with girls, for girls
  • More on empowering girls through positive early interactions with tech
• DIY: Place for kids to share what they do
• Fab Lab Network: Provides widespread access to modern means for invention
• HUE Animation Studio: Stop-motion animation kit
• Hummingbird Robotics: Creative engineering and robotics
• Imagination Foundation: Host of the Global Cardboard Challenge
• Kano: DIY computer you build and code
• Lego Mindstorms: Build and program robots
• LEGO® Education: Maker activities for schools
• LittleBits: kits of electronic building blocks
• MakerBot: Global leader in desktop in 3D printing
• Maker Education Initiative: Start your maker search here
• Maker Faire: String of big show and tell events
• Maker Learning Leadership Framework: A guiding framework from Digital Promise
• Maker State: School resources (Looks like you have to pay)
• MaKey MaKey: Turn everyday objects into touchpads
• Modular Robotics: Maker of MOSS and Cubelets robot toys
• MyMachine: Recruits college design students and high school prototypers to help bring to life the dreams of elementary students. (See our feature)
• NoRILLA: Bridging the advantages of physical and virtual worlds
• Piper Computer Kit: DIY kit for homemade computers
• Project Invent: High school students invent technologies to improve their communities.
• Raspberry Pi: Inexpensive customizable and codable computer hardware (can power other projects such as a GoPiGo3 robot)
• STEMscopes DIVE-in Engineering: engineering curriculum built around flexible, hands-on lessons
• Tenka Labs – Circuit Cubes: Circuits and motors for building creative, custom machines
• Tynker: Helps kids learn to code using visual code blocks that represent programming concepts

Books for MakerEd

• Free to Make: How the Maker Movement is Changing Our Schools, Our Jobs, and Our Minds, by Dale Dougherty‎, Tim O’Reilly (Foreword),‎ and Ariane Conrad (Contributor)
• The Kickstart Guide to Making GREAT Makerspaces, by Laura Fleming
• Maker-Centered Learning, by Edward P. Clapp,‎ Jessica Ross,‎ Jennifer O. Ryan, and‎ Shari Tishman
• The Space: A Guide for Educators, by Rebecca Louise Hare and Robert Dillon
• STEAM Makers, by Jacie Maslyk
• Worlds of Making: Best Practices for Establishing a Makerspace for Your School, by Laura Fleming
• Your Starter Guide to Makerspaces (The Nerdy Teacher Presents), by Nicholas Provenzano

Regional STEM Networks

• Arizona STEM Network: Led by Science Foundation Arizona
• California STEM Learning Network: Bringing together a wide range of stakeholders in California
• Colorado STEM: A community-driven effort to develop and implement the Colorado STEM Education Roadmap
• DC STEM Network: Inspiring and preparing all DC youth to succeed, lead, and innovate
• Educate Texas: Public-private network of seven T-STEM Centers and 60+ Academies
• Idaho STEM Action Center: Connecting resources, students, teachers and businesses
• Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council: Increasing STEM interest and achievement
• I-STEM Resource Network: Working to reform K-8 science education in Indiana through the Indiana Science Initiative (ISI)
• North Carolina SMT: Created in 2002 to help provide students with the resources, knowledge and skills to excel in STEM
• NYS STEM Education Collaborative: Coalition of 10 regional New York networks
• Ohio STEM Learning Network: Anchored by Battelle and Metro, a great Columbus STEM school
• Remake Learning: a Grable Foundation-sponsored network of 250 organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania focused on engaging, relevant and equitable learning (see Getting Smart feature)
• S²TEM Centers SC: “Wants learners to experience the “WOW” of STEM, everyday, in and out of school”
• STEM Action Center Utah: Drives research and implementation of STEM education best practices across Utah
• Tennessee STEM Innovation Network: Promoting and expanding the teaching and learning of STEM in K-12 schools across Tennessee
• T-STEM: Public-private initiative of Texas academies, professional development centers and networks
• Washington STEM: Seven regional STEM networks in Washington State

Is there a resource you would add to the list? Share in the comments section below, and check out our other recent Smart Lists at our Smart List Series.

This Smart List was developed by Getting Smart, who helps schools, districts, and impact-oriented partners design and implement powerful learning experiences and forward-leaning strategies, and thought leadership campaigns. Learn more about how we can help you extend your impact.