Making is a great way to learn. It teaches us what is in the books and beyond. 

Making can be a great way for students to execute their academic knowledge. Just by listening and seeing in class, many students think that they know but only to find out that their learning is not complete until they work on a problem. Compare to regular worksheets and assignments, the artifacts produced by making have a much deeper meaning to the students as they put their passion and interests into the project. Making, as it is creating, is a higher level of learning according to Bloom's Taxonomy. It also provides the opportunity for the students to apply their knowledge to the real world. Students with various cultural backgrounds can use making to express their interests and it provides an opportunity for their peers to learn about different perspectives. Making fits all levels of budgets. Sometimes the smaller the budget is, the more creative the maker can become, so it is a great way to level the playing field for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Making also teaches students important life qualities. My focus is on resilience, the mindset to rise above difficult circumstances, the capacity to bounce back after a setback, and the tenacity to stay on a difficult task. According to Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, resilience is built on 7C’s: competence, confidence, connections, contribution, coping, character, and self-control. Making naturally touches many of these areas such as when a student built an artifact, the accomplishment increases the competence of the student which is the base of resilience. With such accomplishment, the student gains more self-confidence. Many making projects involve teamwork, we build true connections with fellow students through a common goal. Each student learns how to positively contribute to the team. They find out what their strengths are so that they can help others, and they learn when to seek help to make up for their weaknesses. Unexpected situations and setbacks often happen during making, students would learn how to cope with failures, they will learn how to problem solve and rise above the challenges. Equipped with coping skills, students will fear less about future failures. Students also learn how to cope with conflicts. They learn how to listen to and resolve different opinions with their teammates. They will learn to appreciate different perspectives and how diversity enriches the final product. Finally, students can see how their good decisions are reflected in their artifacts, they will trust their ability to control the outcomes of whatever comes their way. This is very empowering to young people in preparing them to face the challenges in adulthood.

In this digital age, I think making is ever more important for the students to be more appreciative of where things come from. They will be more appreciative of the natural resources we take from this planet and of the people who often be making our everyday products in less than ideal living conditions.

Finally, making prepares our students for promising career fields. I recently had an externship and found out that Central Texas has a vibrant manufacturing industry where employers are yearning for young people who can take initiative and just make something. As a teacher, I look forward to involving industry personnel in the making of my students in the future.