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A Three-Step Guide to Equitable Makerspaces

Create an inclusive and equitable culture within your makerspace by including three simple steps into your practice.

583 enrolled on this course

Making Spaces Project
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Digital upgrade

    Free

Make equity and inclusion a priority in makerspaces

Makerspaces are quickly becoming an integral part of educational and innovative ecosystems, offering invaluable hands-on learning experiences and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. But far too often, equity issues are poorly understood or seen as a secondary consideration, with practitioners lacking the tools and support needed to make a difference.

Evidence suggests that making equity a central, core issue can help makerspaces become more vibrant hubs of creativity, fostering a rich talent of diverse communities.

Transform makerspaces today

This three-week course from University College London is a one-stop-shop to transform your makerspaces into an inclusive space that welcomes and reflects a diverse membership.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to develop a comprehensive plan of action that puts equity front and centre in your makerspace.

Prepare, do, evaluate: Applying equitable mindsets in makerspaces

After understanding the importance of equity, you’ll be asked to reflect on equity issues relating to practices within your makerspace, before identifying action areas.

Utilise case studies as you learn about four distinct methods of implementing an equitable mindset: co-production, equitable governance; inclusive access and outreach; and equitable pedagogy.

Learn from the experts at University College London (UCL)

UCL is committed to fostering equity in learning and professional settings. Their experts are committed to offering equity-centred courses that are accessible and applicable to all.

Once you’ve finished this course, consider joining another at FutureLearn, including UCL’s Equity in Informal STEM Learning: Using the Equity Compass.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Prepare

    • Two people waving through a computer screen

      Introduction

      Equity in makerspaces benefits everyone. This section will introduce you to the 3-step approach, the importance of equity, and why it matters to young people.

    • Young people working together to build the Making Spaces step 1

      Step 1 - Prepare

      The first step in the 3-STEP approach for equitable makerspaces.

  • Week 2

    Do

    • Step 2 - Do

      The second step in the 3-STEP approach for equitable makerspaces.

    • Co-production

      Use participatory approaches to make your programmes more meaningful and relevant to marginalised young people and their communities.

    • Equitable Governance

      Centre equity at the heart of organisational strategy and governance to become an inclusive organisation.

    • Inclusive access and outreach

      Support diverse young people to access, feel welcome and valued in your space.

    • Pedagogy

      Develop teaching and learning that centres around issues of inclusion.

    • Step 2 - Summary

      Reflect on the four action areas: co-production, equitable governance, inclusive access and outreach and inclusive pedagogy.

  • Week 3

    Evaluate

    • Step 3 - Evaluate

      The third step in the 3-STEP approach for equitable makerspaces.

    • Make a plan

      Try out and embed the 3-STEP approach into your makerspace.

    • Next steps

      Good luck on your future journey towards equitable makerspaces!

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Develop critical reflection in relation to makerspace practice.
  • Identify key action areas and how they can support equitable practice
  • Access and critically select which tools to use to evaluate equitable and inclusive practice
  • Develop a plan to put the three steps into practice

Who is the course for?

This course is designed to support makerspace practitioners, organisation leaders, funders, educators, and facilitators, in developing their skills to foster more equitable makerspaces.

Who will you learn with?

Meghna Nag Chowdhuri

I am a Research Fellow at UCL, leading the Making Spaces project. My research explores inequities in STEM education.

Louise Archer

My research focuses on educational identities, inequalities and equitable participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). I'm a professor of sociology of education at UCL.

Qian Liu

I am a Research Fellow for the Making Spaces Project at UCL. My research interests include STEM and digital education.

Esme Freedman

I am a Research Administration Officer for the Making Spaces Project at UCL. My research interests include working with young people in participatory and co-produced ways.

Jen DeWitt

I am a research/evaluation consultant, specialising in learning and engagement, particularly in informal settings, bringing an equity lens to my work. I am also a Senior Research Fellow at UCL.

Who developed the course?

UCL logo

UCL (University College London)

UCL was founded in 1826. It was the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, and the first to open up university education to those previously excluded from it.

What's included?

UCL (University College London) are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Tests to validate your learning
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

    Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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    Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

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