Makerspace is the art of learning through building things, but it’s not just another guided activity. It is an educational experience that embraces the power of collaboration and helps students initiate their own learning journey by fostering creativity, critical thinking, perseverance, construction, and teamwork. 

Hi. My name is Sara Sanchez. I am the MakerSpace Maestro. What does that even mean? It means I focus on letting your kids explore their own imagination, challenge them to work in teams and help them to see the value in making mistakes. The best thing about mistakes is learning from them. The only rules I have in MakerSpace are my Four P's: Plan, Partner, Persevere, and Put Away. In each of those areas, our MakerSpace infuses all the elements of STEAM!

Another great thing about MakerSpace, teachers can request special MakerSpace sessions, built around their own curriculum. Whether it's Kindergarten's Science Fair MakerSpace, the First Grade's Clouds Class, the Second Grade Wild Robot lesson where we get to build bird nests, or Fourth Grade's Weathering and Erosion class, MakerSpace is all about learning, fun, and making educational memories.

My favorite MakerSpace: The MakerCareSpace, which focuses on Mills' commitment to Social Emotional Learning. Whether it's writing and decorating a letter to grandma and making a button with the button machine for a classmate, your Mountain Lion loves MakerSpace. We hope you will too!

What is your student doing in class? 

Check out the MakerSpace station to see current and past menus: https://bit.ly/MillsMakerSpaceBase

When is my student going to MakerSpace? 

MakerSpace operates on the Blue & Purple Schedule, which means that I will be seeing your Mountain Lion twice every month! The weeks they are not in MakerSpace, they will be visiting in the library. 

Click here to view the Blue & Purple Schedule!

Donations to MakerSpace

Yes. We love to take things from the community because me and the students can always find a creative way to use it! Below are some of our most used items in MakerSpace.

• Legos
• Lego base plates
• Paper towels
• All forms of tape
• Craft supplies
• Tinker Toys
• Old electronics to deconstruct for BreakerSpace
• Paper towel tubes
• Wrapping paper tubes
• Solo cups
• Plates
• Felt
• Corks for making big rockets stoppers
• Bubble wrap
• Shoeboxes
• Paper and plastic cups
• LEDs
• Marbles
• STEM kits your kids don't use
• CR2032 coin batteries
• Cotton balls
• Coffee filters
• If you are not sure if something you have is a good fit for MakerSpace, please send an email to sara.r.sanchez@austinisd.org!