Fostering Self-Directed Learning in Makerspaces
When students have the freedom to tinker and explore, their curiosity leads to perseverance—and the mastery of technical tools and skills.
In a small, rural Kentucky town, school leaders at Eminence Independent Schools prioritized their spending to invest in a state-of-the-art makerspace called the EDhub, where students from all grade levels would have opportunities to spend time each week. The outcome went far beyond cool tools and technical training—it sparked student enthusiasm and built a culture of exploration. From button-making to 3D printing, laser cutting to video editing, students choose a tool they want to explore and earn a badge once they achieve mastery. As a result of this interest-based approach, teachers have seen a lift in students leading their own learning beyond the EDhub.
To learn more about how the school funded and built the EDhub, read “A Small Town School Embraces a Big Vision.”