two years ago I co-founded a makerspace at Elon University called the maker hub
at Elon University called the maker hub
at Elon University called the maker hub if you’re wondering what a makerspace is
if you’re wondering what a makerspace is
if you’re wondering what a makerspace is it’s a space where you make things maker
it’s a space where you make things maker
it’s a space where you make things maker spaces are labs where people go and they
spaces are labs where people go and they
spaces are labs where people go and they make things that they’re interested in
make things that they’re interested in
make things that they’re interested in making and you’ll actually find maker
making and you’ll actually find maker
making and you’ll actually find maker spaces in a lot of different places
spaces in a lot of different places
spaces in a lot of different places you’ll find them at colleges and
you’ll find them at colleges and
you’ll find them at colleges and universities you’ll find them in k-12
universities you’ll find them in k-12
universities you’ll find them in k-12 you’ll find them in libraries and
you’ll find them in libraries and
you’ll find them in libraries and communities around the nation even
communities around the nation even
communities around the nation even abroad but all maker spaces even though
abroad but all maker spaces even though
abroad but all maker spaces even though they’re all different they all tend to
they’re all different they all tend to
they’re all different they all tend to have the same three things in common
have the same three things in common
have the same three things in common that is that they give people access to
that is that they give people access to
that is that they give people access to tools supplies most importantly a
tools supplies most importantly a
tools supplies most importantly a culture of knowledge and support to make
culture of knowledge and support to make
culture of knowledge and support to make things that they are interested in it’s
things that they are interested in it’s
things that they are interested in it’s that culture of knowledge and support
that culture of knowledge and support
that culture of knowledge and support that’s really the most important part
that’s really the most important part
that’s really the most important part that’s a group of people within that
that’s a group of people within that
that’s a group of people within that space who define the heart and soul of
space who define the heart and soul of
space who define the heart and soul of it who help you figure out how to work
it who help you figure out how to work
it who help you figure out how to work through a project how to get past
through a project how to get past
through a project how to get past adversity so why do we go through the
adversity so why do we go through the
adversity so why do we go through the trouble of making a makerspace
trouble of making a makerspace
trouble of making a makerspace what’s its purpose stick with me we need
what’s its purpose stick with me we need
what’s its purpose stick with me we need to take a little bit of a detour here
to take a little bit of a detour here
to take a little bit of a detour here okay because there are too many students
okay because there are too many students
okay because there are too many students I’ve been higher ed for over 10 years
I’ve been higher ed for over 10 years
I’ve been higher ed for over 10 years now I see too many students who are
now I see too many students who are
now I see too many students who are coming in and they’re failing to learn I
coming in and they’re failing to learn I
coming in and they’re failing to learn I don’t mean that in the traditional sense
don’t mean that in the traditional sense
don’t mean that in the traditional sense they’re not getting D’s and F’s far from
they’re not getting D’s and F’s far from
they’re not getting D’s and F’s far from it they’re getting A’s and B’s but their
it they’re getting A’s and B’s but their
it they’re getting A’s and B’s but their relationship with learning is damaged
relationship with learning is damaged
relationship with learning is damaged it’s broken in some way they’re afraid
it’s broken in some way they’re afraid
it’s broken in some way they’re afraid to try new things they’re afraid to go
to try new things they’re afraid to go
to try new things they’re afraid to go above and beyond and sometimes they’ll
above and beyond and sometimes they’ll
above and beyond and sometimes they’ll even resort to things like cheating and
even resort to things like cheating and
even resort to things like cheating and plagiarism
plagiarism
plagiarism I’ve seen this Illustrated this fear of
I’ve seen this Illustrated this fear of
I’ve seen this Illustrated this fear of engagement with learning illustrating a
engagement with learning illustrating a
engagement with learning illustrating a couple of different ways most recently a
couple of different ways most recently a
couple of different ways most recently a story that I heard from a friend of mine
story that I heard from a friend of mine
story that I heard from a friend of mine who runs a makerspace over at UNC
who runs a makerspace over at UNC
who runs a makerspace over at UNC Greensboro and their makerspace is
Greensboro and their makerspace is
Greensboro and their makerspace is actually in the school of education so
actually in the school of education so
actually in the school of education so it’s for education majors and minors to
it’s for education majors and minors to
it’s for education majors and minors to learn how to use making with younger
learn how to use making with younger
learn how to use making with younger students but they also bring in people
students but they also bring in people
students but they also bring in people from the community so they bring in
from the community so they bring in
from the community so they bring in administrators they bring in teachers
administrators they bring in teachers
administrators they bring in teachers from the community they bring in classes
from the community they bring in classes
from the community they bring in classes from local schools and they do
from local schools and they do
from local schools and they do activities with them tell them learn
activities with them tell them learn
activities with them tell them learn about what making is and why it can be
about what making is and why it can be
about what making is and why it can be such a positive thing for their lives
such a positive thing for their lives
such a positive thing for their lives now one activity that they really like
now one activity that they really like
now one activity that they really like to deal with all the groups is to give
to deal with all the groups is to give
to deal with all the groups is to give them a whole bunch of Lego bricks and I
them a whole bunch of Lego bricks and I
them a whole bunch of Lego bricks and I say build a house and you would think
say build a house and you would think
say build a house and you would think that the teachers and administrators
that the teachers and administrators
that the teachers and administrators the adults would be really good at this
the adults would be really good at this
the adults would be really good at this because most of them own houses but
because most of them own houses but
because most of them own houses but they’re terrible at it because they have
they’re terrible at it because they have
they’re terrible at it because they have questions before they’ll even put a
questions before they’ll even put a
questions before they’ll even put a single brick what’s the house supposed
single brick what’s the house supposed
single brick what’s the house supposed to look like right this is the adult
to look like right this is the adult
to look like right this is the adult version of what’s is this going to be on
version of what’s is this going to be on
version of what’s is this going to be on the test all right the kids they just
the test all right the kids they just
the test all right the kids they just start they don’t have questions they
start they don’t have questions they
start they don’t have questions they build houses that are whimsical Korea if
build houses that are whimsical Korea if
build houses that are whimsical Korea if this one doesn’t even have a roof right
this one doesn’t even have a roof right
this one doesn’t even have a roof right and it’s great it’s really cool so I’m
and it’s great it’s really cool so I’m
and it’s great it’s really cool so I’m wondering what changes what changes
wondering what changes what changes
wondering what changes what changes between when you’re their age and when
between when you’re their age and when
between when you’re their age and when you’re our age we see evidence of this
you’re our age we see evidence of this
you’re our age we see evidence of this in other areas as the kids like to say
in other areas as the kids like to say
in other areas as the kids like to say I’ve got receipts because if you look at
I’ve got receipts because if you look at
I’ve got receipts because if you look at the research this pops up all the time
the research this pops up all the time
the research this pops up all the time there’s a study done a couple of years
there’s a study done a couple of years
there’s a study done a couple of years ago they talked to instructors who had
ago they talked to instructors who had
ago they talked to instructors who had at least 10 years teaching experience in
at least 10 years teaching experience in
at least 10 years teaching experience in higher education and what they would do
higher education and what they would do
higher education and what they would do is they would give them a statement to
is they would give them a statement to
is they would give them a statement to describe their students they would ask
describe their students they would ask
describe their students they would ask them for feedback on that statement so
them for feedback on that statement so
them for feedback on that statement so one of those statements that’s really
one of those statements that’s really
one of those statements that’s really important is my students recognize the
important is my students recognize the
important is my students recognize the link between effort and success this is
link between effort and success this is
link between effort and success this is important we were talking earlier about
important we were talking earlier about
important we were talking earlier about grit you do have to persevere you do
grit you do have to persevere you do
grit you do have to persevere you do have to work hard to get things they’re
have to work hard to get things they’re
have to work hard to get things they’re worth having so when students don’t
worth having so when students don’t
worth having so when students don’t recognize a link between effort and
recognize a link between effort and
recognize a link between effort and success that would represent a problem
success that would represent a problem
success that would represent a problem and so when they gave these experienced
and so when they gave these experienced
and so when they gave these experienced instructors this statement and asked
instructors this statement and asked
instructors this statement and asked them to respond to it about 52% of those
them to respond to it about 52% of those
them to respond to it about 52% of those instructors said my students currently
instructors said my students currently
instructors said my students currently recognized a link between effort and
recognized a link between effort and
recognized a link between effort and success that’s a really big gap and on
success that’s a really big gap and on
success that’s a really big gap and on the flip side of that 46 percent said my
the flip side of that 46 percent said my
the flip side of that 46 percent said my students ability to recognize that link
students ability to recognize that link
students ability to recognize that link has gotten worse over the last decade
has gotten worse over the last decade
has gotten worse over the last decade one of the other statements from that
one of the other statements from that
one of the other statements from that study that stood out to me was this one
study that stood out to me was this one
study that stood out to me was this one my students are willing to struggle with
my students are willing to struggle with
my students are willing to struggle with complicated ideas and theories struggle
complicated ideas and theories struggle
complicated ideas and theories struggle and confusion are absolutely essential
and confusion are absolutely essential
and confusion are absolutely essential pieces of the learning process they are
pieces of the learning process they are
pieces of the learning process they are confusion and struggle that’s the sweat
confusion and struggle that’s the sweat
confusion and struggle that’s the sweat of learning that’s how you know it’s
of learning that’s how you know it’s
of learning that’s how you know it’s happening if you’re not willing to
happening if you’re not willing to
happening if you’re not willing to struggle you’re saying you’re not
struggle you’re saying you’re not
struggle you’re saying you’re not willing to learn and when they gave
willing to learn and when they gave
willing to learn and when they gave these experienced instructors this
these experienced instructors this
these experienced instructors this statement asked them to respond to it
statement asked them to respond to it
statement asked them to respond to it only 38 percent said yes my students are
only 38 percent said yes my students are
only 38 percent said yes my students are willing to struggle with complicated
willing to struggle with complicated
willing to struggle with complicated ideas and theories right now and over
ideas and theories right now and over
ideas and theories right now and over half said their students ability to do
half said their students ability to do
half said their students ability to do that over the last 10 years has gotten
that over the last 10 years has gotten
that over the last 10 years has gotten worse and so I think we have a big
worse and so I think we have a big
worse and so I think we have a big problem that needs to be solved
problem that needs to be solved
problem that needs to be solved something happens between kindergarten
something happens between kindergarten
something happens between kindergarten and college now there are a lot of
and college now there are a lot of
and college now there are a lot of things that
things that
things that do you have it in there live really
do you have it in there live really
do you have it in there live really important milestones right you lose your
important milestones right you lose your
important milestones right you lose your first baby tooth as your first adult
first baby tooth as your first adult
first baby tooth as your first adult tooth comes in you learn to ride a bike
tooth comes in you learn to ride a bike
tooth comes in you learn to ride a bike and then drive a car you have your first
and then drive a car you have your first
and then drive a car you have your first crush your first kiss your first love
crush your first kiss your first love
crush your first kiss your first love and those are major milestones you can
and those are major milestones you can
and those are major milestones you can play a date on most of those but in
play a date on most of those but in
play a date on most of those but in between those two points there are tons
between those two points there are tons
between those two points there are tons of subtle little things that happen
of subtle little things that happen
of subtle little things that happen often dozens of times a day things that
often dozens of times a day things that
often dozens of times a day things that kids are exposed to that form little
kids are exposed to that form little
kids are exposed to that form little bits of pressure that over time just add
bits of pressure that over time just add
bits of pressure that over time just add up and crush them in certain ways and
up and crush them in certain ways and
up and crush them in certain ways and this pressure it comes from so many
this pressure it comes from so many
this pressure it comes from so many different places but if we could pick
different places but if we could pick
different places but if we could pick out four it comes from things like the
out four it comes from things like the
out four it comes from things like the values of the people around them and
values of the people around them and
values of the people around them and what they consider to be important it
what they consider to be important it
what they consider to be important it comes down to things like the heroes
comes down to things like the heroes
comes down to things like the heroes that we celebrate in front of children I
that we celebrate in front of children I
that we celebrate in front of children I think the world of athletics is really a
think the world of athletics is really a
think the world of athletics is really a great example of this because we only
great example of this because we only
great example of this because we only buy jerseys for the people who are best
buy jerseys for the people who are best
buy jerseys for the people who are best on the team have you noticed that what
on the team have you noticed that what
on the team have you noticed that what message does that send to kids aside
message does that send to kids aside
message does that send to kids aside from your only good enough if you’re the
from your only good enough if you’re the
from your only good enough if you’re the very best at what you do where are they
very best at what you do where are they
very best at what you do where are they supposed to pull their worth from that
supposed to pull their worth from that
supposed to pull their worth from that it comes down from things like what kind
it comes down from things like what kind
it comes down from things like what kind of compliments we give them earlier you
of compliments we give them earlier you
of compliments we give them earlier you were hearing about growth mindset some
were hearing about growth mindset some
were hearing about growth mindset some of the research is showing that when we
of the research is showing that when we
of the research is showing that when we give kids praise in the form of labels
give kids praise in the form of labels
give kids praise in the form of labels like you’re so smart what it tells them
like you’re so smart what it tells them
like you’re so smart what it tells them is that they have this label that they
is that they have this label that they
is that they have this label that they then become afraid of losing right if a
then become afraid of losing right if a
then become afraid of losing right if a parent tells them that they’re smart and
parent tells them that they’re smart and
parent tells them that they’re smart and later they’re confronted with a
later they’re confronted with a
later they’re confronted with a situation where they might have to do
situation where they might have to do
situation where they might have to do something that would make them feel like
something that would make them feel like
something that would make them feel like they’re not smart
they’re not smart
they’re not smart where are they going to do and one very
where are they going to do and one very
where are they going to do and one very big influence in their lives would be
big influence in their lives would be
big influence in their lives would be standardized tests now I want to explore
standardized tests now I want to explore
standardized tests now I want to explore this one just a little bit further so
this one just a little bit further so
this one just a little bit further so you can see some of the subtleties that
you can see some of the subtleties that
you can see some of the subtleties that come along and affect kids over time now
come along and affect kids over time now
come along and affect kids over time now standardized tests do seem like a major
standardized tests do seem like a major
standardized tests do seem like a major milestone we know when they’re going to
milestone we know when they’re going to
milestone we know when they’re going to happen we can put a date on it right if
happen we can put a date on it right if
happen we can put a date on it right if you’re a parent in the audience right
you’re a parent in the audience right
you’re a parent in the audience right now you know when your kid is taking
now you know when your kid is taking
now you know when your kid is taking their next test but here’s the problem
their next test but here’s the problem
their next test but here’s the problem with standardized tests is they’re a
with standardized tests is they’re a
with standardized tests is they’re a really big deal a really big deal if
really big deal a really big deal if
really big deal a really big deal if your student your scores are going to
your student your scores are going to
your student your scores are going to determine which courses you’re enrolled
determine which courses you’re enrolled
determine which courses you’re enrolled in next year and coincidentally who
in next year and coincidentally who
in next year and coincidentally who you’re going to get to spend time with
you’re going to get to spend time with
you’re going to get to spend time with in class if you’re a teacher it will
in class if you’re a teacher it will
in class if you’re a teacher it will determine how much you’re paid by your
determine how much you’re paid by your
determine how much you’re paid by your district if you’re an administrator your
district if you’re an administrator your
district if you’re an administrator your school scores will determine how much
school scores will determine how much
school scores will determine how much money your school is receiving in terms
money your school is receiving in terms
money your school is receiving in terms of funding from the state so these are a
of funding from the state so these are a
of funding from the state so these are a really big deal instead of just one day
really big deal instead of just one day
really big deal instead of just one day here we focus on them
here we focus on them
here we focus on them a really significant chunk of the school
a really significant chunk of the school
a really significant chunk of the school year and it sends two really damaging
year and it sends two really damaging
year and it sends two really damaging messages to students about their
messages to students about their
messages to students about their relationship with learning and the first
relationship with learning and the first
relationship with learning and the first is it tell students that learning is an
is it tell students that learning is an
is it tell students that learning is an outcome and not a journey and that’s
outcome and not a journey and that’s
outcome and not a journey and that’s wrong it does tell them that failure is
wrong it does tell them that failure is
wrong it does tell them that failure is a stopping point in their the other
a stopping point in their the other
a stopping point in their the other thing that does is it tells them that
thing that does is it tells them that
thing that does is it tells them that most answers are black and white and we
most answers are black and white and we
most answers are black and white and we live in a very gray world right we know
live in a very gray world right we know
live in a very gray world right we know this but when we tell kids that
this but when we tell kids that
this but when we tell kids that everything is black and white then
everything is black and white then
everything is black and white then they’re either right or they’re wrong
they’re either right or they’re wrong
they’re either right or they’re wrong all the time and when a situation comes
all the time and when a situation comes
all the time and when a situation comes up that challenges them what do they do
up that challenges them what do they do
up that challenges them what do they do they run away from it because they’re
they run away from it because they’re
they run away from it because they’re afraid
afraid
afraid right they’re afraid and we get that
right they’re afraid and we get that
right they’re afraid and we get that okay
okay
okay can we really be surprised that our
can we really be surprised that our
can we really be surprised that our students fail to see a link between
students fail to see a link between
students fail to see a link between effort and success when we put all of
effort and success when we put all of
effort and success when we put all of these pressures on them and over time
these pressures on them and over time
these pressures on them and over time these pressures add up and they create
these pressures add up and they create
these pressures add up and they create barriers to learning in the form of
barriers to learning in the form of
barriers to learning in the form of habits not just one or two big habits
habits not just one or two big habits
habits not just one or two big habits but dozens of little habits habitual
but dozens of little habits habitual
but dozens of little habits habitual responses to situations even and we can
responses to situations even and we can
responses to situations even and we can put these habits under the umbrella
put these habits under the umbrella
put these habits under the umbrella perfectionism now what’s wrong with
perfectionism now what’s wrong with
perfectionism now what’s wrong with wanting to do well right we used to joke
wanting to do well right we used to joke
wanting to do well right we used to joke like what’s your grass weakness oh I’m a
like what’s your grass weakness oh I’m a
like what’s your grass weakness oh I’m a perfectionist
perfectionist
perfectionist right psychologists used to actually
right psychologists used to actually
right psychologists used to actually think that there were positive aspects
think that there were positive aspects
think that there were positive aspects of perfectionism but recently we’ve
of perfectionism but recently we’ve
of perfectionism but recently we’ve determined that all perfectionism is
determined that all perfectionism is
determined that all perfectionism is maladaptive behavior meaning it’s
maladaptive behavior meaning it’s
maladaptive behavior meaning it’s damaging the problem with wine to do
damaging the problem with wine to do
damaging the problem with wine to do well doesn’t exist we want kids to be
well doesn’t exist we want kids to be
well doesn’t exist we want kids to be high achievers we want them to set high
high achievers we want them to set high
high achievers we want them to set high goals we want them to strive for
goals we want them to strive for
goals we want them to strive for greatness we want those things
greatness we want those things
greatness we want those things the problem with perfectionism comes
the problem with perfectionism comes
the problem with perfectionism comes with how you respond to adversity how
with how you respond to adversity how
with how you respond to adversity how you respond when things don’t go your
you respond when things don’t go your
you respond when things don’t go your way or when things don’t go well because
way or when things don’t go well because
way or when things don’t go well because a perfectionist mind things happen
a perfectionist mind things happen
a perfectionist mind things happen differently for most people these are
differently for most people these are
differently for most people these are the three outcomes that you could have
the three outcomes that you could have
the three outcomes that you could have when you try something new it either
when you try something new it either
when you try something new it either works really well it doesn’t work or it
works really well it doesn’t work or it
works really well it doesn’t work or it works well enough but when you’re in the
works well enough but when you’re in the
works well enough but when you’re in the mind of a perfectionist you lose one of
mind of a perfectionist you lose one of
mind of a perfectionist you lose one of those options good enough isn’t an
those options good enough isn’t an
those options good enough isn’t an option and success becomes very narrowly
option and success becomes very narrowly
option and success becomes very narrowly defined as something that is absolutely
defined as something that is absolutely
defined as something that is absolutely perfect imagine what it feels like as a
perfect imagine what it feels like as a
perfect imagine what it feels like as a kid to never have anything you do be
kid to never have anything you do be
kid to never have anything you do be good enough to yourself and how that
good enough to yourself and how that
good enough to yourself and how that affects them over time and even worse it
affects them over time and even worse it
affects them over time and even worse it creates an emotional response within
creates an emotional response within
creates an emotional response within them and one of fear and fear is one of
them and one of fear and fear is one of
them and one of fear and fear is one of the most powerful emotions it’s really
the most powerful emotions it’s really
the most powerful emotions it’s really hard to overcome it usually creates a
hard to overcome it usually creates a
hard to overcome it usually creates a fear of being seen as not good enough in
fear of being seen as not good enough in
fear of being seen as not good enough in some way not smart enough not fast
some way not smart enough not fast
some way not smart enough not fast enough not talented enough right and
enough not talented enough right and
enough not talented enough right and when you’re afraid of those things you
when you’re afraid of those things you
when you’re afraid of those things you start to create barriers to situations
start to create barriers to situations
start to create barriers to situations that might make you feel like you are
that might make you feel like you are
that might make you feel like you are not good enough right and so when you
not good enough right and so when you
not good enough right and so when you look at kids who are struggling with
look at kids who are struggling with
look at kids who are struggling with these things they are very risk-averse
these things they are very risk-averse
these things they are very risk-averse they’re hesitant to trying new things
they’re hesitant to trying new things
they’re hesitant to trying new things they’re are worried about how other
they’re are worried about how other
they’re are worried about how other people will see
people will see
people will see them now to some extent we all do this
them now to some extent we all do this
them now to some extent we all do this right no one wants to look like they’re
right no one wants to look like they’re
right no one wants to look like they’re bad at doing something they should be
bad at doing something they should be
bad at doing something they should be good at we can appreciate that but the
good at we can appreciate that but the
good at we can appreciate that but the difference is when you don’t have
difference is when you don’t have
difference is when you don’t have perfectionism influencing you even if
perfectionism influencing you even if
perfectionism influencing you even if you have the spirit you’ll still do it
you have the spirit you’ll still do it
you have the spirit you’ll still do it anyway but perfectionists will try and
anyway but perfectionists will try and
anyway but perfectionists will try and avoid potential failure at all costs and
avoid potential failure at all costs and
avoid potential failure at all costs and this is an unhealthy relationship with
this is an unhealthy relationship with
this is an unhealthy relationship with learning it is thanks for sticking with
learning it is thanks for sticking with
learning it is thanks for sticking with me on that so that’s our detour so why a
me on that so that’s our detour so why a
me on that so that’s our detour so why a makerspace well again maker spaces can
makerspace well again maker spaces can
makerspace well again maker spaces can have a lot of different types of
have a lot of different types of
have a lot of different types of equipment in there they could have 3d
equipment in there they could have 3d
equipment in there they could have 3d printers sewing machines laser cutters
printers sewing machines laser cutters
printers sewing machines laser cutters tools arts and crafts there could be
tools arts and crafts there could be
tools arts and crafts there could be computers if you’re coding apps or
computers if you’re coding apps or
computers if you’re coding apps or something like that but the most
something like that but the most
something like that but the most important thing in every space again
important thing in every space again
important thing in every space again it’s going to be that culture that’s
it’s going to be that culture that’s
it’s going to be that culture that’s supportive environment where people are
supportive environment where people are
supportive environment where people are saying hey it’s okay that your project
saying hey it’s okay that your project
saying hey it’s okay that your project didn’t work out let’s try and figure out
didn’t work out let’s try and figure out
didn’t work out let’s try and figure out why let’s try and make it through and
why let’s try and make it through and
why let’s try and make it through and the culture that you find in this place
the culture that you find in this place
the culture that you find in this place it promotes something called a maker
it promotes something called a maker
it promotes something called a maker mindset and I think the maker mindset is
mindset and I think the maker mindset is
mindset and I think the maker mindset is a way forward past some of these
a way forward past some of these
a way forward past some of these perfectionistic tendencies I think it’s
perfectionistic tendencies I think it’s
perfectionistic tendencies I think it’s a way to help combat them and to me the
a way to help combat them and to me the
a way to help combat them and to me the maker mindset is made up of four
maker mindset is made up of four
maker mindset is made up of four different components first makers are
different components first makers are
different components first makers are intrinsically motivated so they pursue
intrinsically motivated so they pursue
intrinsically motivated so they pursue projects that genuinely interest them
projects that genuinely interest them
projects that genuinely interest them it’s not for a class it’s not for a
it’s not for a class it’s not for a
it’s not for a class it’s not for a grade we’re not going to judge you when
grade we’re not going to judge you when
grade we’re not going to judge you when you come into our space we’re just going
you come into our space we’re just going
you come into our space we’re just going to ask you are you interested in making
to ask you are you interested in making
to ask you are you interested in making anything in particular
anything in particular
anything in particular and if not we’ll just show you some
and if not we’ll just show you some
and if not we’ll just show you some things until you find something that
things until you find something that
things until you find something that piques your interest because if you’re
piques your interest because if you’re
piques your interest because if you’re not interested in doing it it’s not
not interested in doing it it’s not
not interested in doing it it’s not worth doing in that space over the
worth doing in that space over the
worth doing in that space over the summer we thought that no one would be
summer we thought that no one would be
summer we thought that no one would be in there but it turns out we found two
in there but it turns out we found two
in there but it turns out we found two students Ashley in Olivia and they were
students Ashley in Olivia and they were
students Ashley in Olivia and they were working on a therapeutic boot for
working on a therapeutic boot for
working on a therapeutic boot for diabetics because it turns out the
diabetics because it turns out the
diabetics because it turns out the diabetics are at risk in certain cases
diabetics are at risk in certain cases
diabetics are at risk in certain cases of losing their feet when they don’t
of losing their feet when they don’t
of losing their feet when they don’t have boots like this and they actually
have boots like this and they actually
have boots like this and they actually did such good work on this a I want to
did such good work on this a I want to
did such good work on this a I want to point out like this is a project that
point out like this is a project that
point out like this is a project that they just wanted to do they wanted to do
they just wanted to do they wanted to do
they just wanted to do they wanted to do something different for someone else
something different for someone else
something different for someone else right that was their motivation here
right that was their motivation here
right that was their motivation here they wanted to make a difference
they wanted to make a difference
they wanted to make a difference and I think that’s really powerful right
and I think that’s really powerful right
and I think that’s really powerful right and they were actually so successful in
and they were actually so successful in
and they were actually so successful in this that they actually just received a
this that they actually just received a
this that they actually just received a ninety-five thousand dollar grant to
ninety-five thousand dollar grant to
ninety-five thousand dollar grant to keep the work going so I needed to do a
keep the work going so I needed to do a
keep the work going so I needed to do a quick little side brag
quick little side brag
quick little side brag for my students another thing that
for my students another thing that
for my students another thing that makers are really good at is they are
makers are really good at is they are
makers are really good at is they are very good knowing what they know and
very good knowing what they know and
very good knowing what they know and what they can learn so when you don’t
what they can learn so when you don’t
what they can learn so when you don’t know something it’s not a point of
know something it’s not a point of
know something it’s not a point of embarrassment it’s an opportunity to say
embarrassment it’s an opportunity to say
embarrassment it’s an opportunity to say I don’t know how to do this yet can you
I don’t know how to do this yet can you
I don’t know how to do this yet can you show me how and this is the first maker
show me how and this is the first maker
show me how and this is the first maker mind set piece that really requires an
mind set piece that really requires an
mind set piece that really requires an emotional investment it requires some
emotional investment it requires some
emotional investment it requires some self-awareness but more importantly it
self-awareness but more importantly it
self-awareness but more importantly it requires humility to say I don’t know
requires humility to say I don’t know
requires humility to say I don’t know how to do this yet but also recognizing
how to do this yet but also recognizing
how to do this yet but also recognizing that you have the potential to grow
that you have the potential to grow
that you have the potential to grow makers also understand that it takes
makers also understand that it takes
makers also understand that it takes time and effort to make a project great
time and effort to make a project great
time and effort to make a project great perfectionist will be very hesitant to
perfectionist will be very hesitant to
perfectionist will be very hesitant to try something they will not be good at
try something they will not be good at
try something they will not be good at right away but makers understand that
right away but makers understand that
right away but makers understand that it’s a very long process it’s not just
it’s a very long process it’s not just
it’s a very long process it’s not just one and done you’re not just going to
one and done you’re not just going to
one and done you’re not just going to get to your first prototype and that’s
get to your first prototype and that’s
get to your first prototype and that’s on to the next thing we have a student
on to the next thing we have a student
on to the next thing we have a student named mass in Tamblyn she was working on
named mass in Tamblyn she was working on
named mass in Tamblyn she was working on a heat sleeve to keep coffee warm for
a heat sleeve to keep coffee warm for
a heat sleeve to keep coffee warm for three hours after you purchase it she’s
three hours after you purchase it she’s
three hours after you purchase it she’s gone through about a dozen prototypes
gone through about a dozen prototypes
gone through about a dozen prototypes before she finally got to the one that
before she finally got to the one that
before she finally got to the one that worked it was not the first one that
worked it was not the first one that
worked it was not the first one that worked out and that’s okay and the most
worked out and that’s okay and the most
worked out and that’s okay and the most important part of the maker mindset the
important part of the maker mindset the
important part of the maker mindset the fourth piece I really I can’t stress
fourth piece I really I can’t stress
fourth piece I really I can’t stress this one enough makers embrace failure
this one enough makers embrace failure
this one enough makers embrace failure they do and I think one of our former
they do and I think one of our former
they do and I think one of our former student staff said best when he said
student staff said best when he said
student staff said best when he said makers don’t view a lack of success as a
makers don’t view a lack of success as a
makers don’t view a lack of success as a failure I think we need to
failure I think we need to
failure I think we need to recontextualize how we look at failure
recontextualize how we look at failure
recontextualize how we look at failure in general because we very much consider
in general because we very much consider
in general because we very much consider it to be a bad thing and we stigmatize
it to be a bad thing and we stigmatize
it to be a bad thing and we stigmatize it we make it something that you don’t
it we make it something that you don’t
it we make it something that you don’t want to be there’s a website called the
want to be there’s a website called the
want to be there’s a website called the noun project their goal is to create a
noun project their goal is to create a
noun project their goal is to create a visual representation of every noun and
visual representation of every noun and
visual representation of every noun and why I search for failure these were the
why I search for failure these were the
why I search for failure these were the results that I got do you say anything
results that I got do you say anything
results that I got do you say anything positive up there they even put plane
positive up there they even put plane
positive up there they even put plane crashes right people falling bugs
crashes right people falling bugs
crashes right people falling bugs nothing positive on here but failure to
nothing positive on here but failure to
nothing positive on here but failure to a maker is an opportunity it’s an
a maker is an opportunity it’s an
a maker is an opportunity it’s an opportunity to diagnose where are my
opportunity to diagnose where are my
opportunity to diagnose where are my soft spots what do I need to do better
soft spots what do I need to do better
soft spots what do I need to do better how do I make this better
how do I make this better
how do I make this better right so what do we do about all this I
right so what do we do about all this I
right so what do we do about all this I think there are three things that we can
think there are three things that we can
think there are three things that we can focus on through the lens of making that
focus on through the lens of making that
focus on through the lens of making that can help improve this and help our kids
can help improve this and help our kids
can help improve this and help our kids get back on track and the first is
get back on track and the first is
get back on track and the first is focusing on process over product because
focusing on process over product because
focusing on process over product because if learning is a journey it doesn’t
if learning is a journey it doesn’t
if learning is a journey it doesn’t matter where you end up
matter where you end up
matter where you end up what matters is what you’re doing along
what matters is what you’re doing along
what matters is what you’re doing along the way
the other thing we need to do is we need
the other thing we need to do is we need to change up how we praise people and I
to change up how we praise people and I
to change up how we praise people and I don’t just mean kids I mean adults too
don’t just mean kids I mean adults too
don’t just mean kids I mean adults too because we already have these habits
because we already have these habits
because we already have these habits firmly in place when we tell kids you’re
firmly in place when we tell kids you’re
firmly in place when we tell kids you’re so smart what we’re telling them is
so smart what we’re telling them is
so smart what we’re telling them is they’re done but when we tell them we’re
they’re done but when we tell them we’re
they’re done but when we tell them we’re proud of things like effort and how hard
proud of things like effort and how hard
proud of things like effort and how hard they’re working what the research does
they’re working what the research does
they’re working what the research does show is those kids are more successful
show is those kids are more successful
show is those kids are more successful they do go on to be higher achievers and
they do go on to be higher achievers and
they do go on to be higher achievers and here’s the really important part they’re
here’s the really important part they’re
here’s the really important part they’re happier they’re happier okay imagine if
happier they’re happier okay imagine if
happier they’re happier okay imagine if instead of just telling someone that
instead of just telling someone that
instead of just telling someone that they’re smart you tell them that there
they’re smart you tell them that there
they’re smart you tell them that there are hard workers sometimes they need
are hard workers sometimes they need
are hard workers sometimes they need that sometimes they definitely need that
that sometimes they definitely need that
that sometimes they definitely need that ok and finally I think we need to
ok and finally I think we need to
ok and finally I think we need to reclaim failure we spend so much time
reclaim failure we spend so much time
reclaim failure we spend so much time stigmatizing it saying it’s a bad thing
stigmatizing it saying it’s a bad thing
stigmatizing it saying it’s a bad thing and in educational environments I’ll be
and in educational environments I’ll be
and in educational environments I’ll be honest as someone who works in education
honest as someone who works in education
honest as someone who works in education we don’t always do the best job of
we don’t always do the best job of
we don’t always do the best job of building and accommodating for learning
building and accommodating for learning
building and accommodating for learning in our or I’m sorry failing in our
in our or I’m sorry failing in our
in our or I’m sorry failing in our learning environments we don’t
learning environments we don’t
learning environments we don’t accommodate for failure and we should
accommodate for failure and we should
accommodate for failure and we should because everyone fails and they fail
because everyone fails and they fail
because everyone fails and they fail often I read by a school district in
often I read by a school district in
often I read by a school district in Chicago they’re getting rid of F’s you
Chicago they’re getting rid of F’s you
Chicago they’re getting rid of F’s you know what they’re doing instead not yet
know what they’re doing instead not yet
know what they’re doing instead not yet can you tell kids not yet imagine what
can you tell kids not yet imagine what
can you tell kids not yet imagine what would be like to a kid instead of
would be like to a kid instead of
would be like to a kid instead of someone saying you failed for them to
someone saying you failed for them to
someone saying you failed for them to say not yet because Nadia is hopeful not
say not yet because Nadia is hopeful not
say not yet because Nadia is hopeful not yet says you have room to grow
yet says you have room to grow
yet says you have room to grow not yet says you can be better and
not yet says you can be better and
not yet says you can be better and you’re not bad right so we have all
you’re not bad right so we have all
you’re not bad right so we have all these students out here who are failing
these students out here who are failing
these students out here who are failing to learn and quite frankly I can’t
to learn and quite frankly I can’t
to learn and quite frankly I can’t really blame them given the amount of
really blame them given the amount of
really blame them given the amount of pressures that we put on them from so
pressures that we put on them from so
pressures that we put on them from so many different sources these pressures
many different sources these pressures
many different sources these pressures do create some habits bad habits but
do create some habits bad habits but
do create some habits bad habits but here’s the interesting thing if you want
here’s the interesting thing if you want
here’s the interesting thing if you want to learn how to break a habit here’s the
to learn how to break a habit here’s the
to learn how to break a habit here’s the easiest way around it from someone who’s
easiest way around it from someone who’s
easiest way around it from someone who’s quit smoking in the past ok if you want
quit smoking in the past ok if you want
quit smoking in the past ok if you want to break a bad habit create a good habit
to break a bad habit create a good habit
to break a bad habit create a good habit the counteracts it I think that’s
the counteracts it I think that’s
the counteracts it I think that’s possible through the lens of making I
possible through the lens of making I
possible through the lens of making I think that when you immerse yourself in
think that when you immerse yourself in
think that when you immerse yourself in the process of making things when you
the process of making things when you
the process of making things when you immerse yourself an environment where
immerse yourself an environment where
immerse yourself an environment where people like to make things where they’ll
people like to make things where they’ll
people like to make things where they’ll support you in doing that that you can
support you in doing that that you can
support you in doing that that you can start to develop
start to develop
start to develop some habits to counteract these things
some habits to counteract these things
some habits to counteract these things that hold you back from experiences that
that hold you back from experiences that
that hold you back from experiences that you’re genuinely going to enjoy and help
you’re genuinely going to enjoy and help
you’re genuinely going to enjoy and help you develop a really healthy
you develop a really healthy
you develop a really healthy relationship with learning I think the
relationship with learning I think the
relationship with learning I think the best thing that we can do for these kids
best thing that we can do for these kids
best thing that we can do for these kids and ourselves is to give ourselves a
and ourselves is to give ourselves a
and ourselves is to give ourselves a gift and that gift is learning to fail
gift and that gift is learning to fail
gift and that gift is learning to fail thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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