Turtle Bay Exploration Park, in collaboration with Future Development Group, LLC, is launching North State Maker Educator Meetups: a new forum for educators to learn about the maker movement. Maker Educator Meetups (MEMs) are an opportunity to meet with like-minded educators who can learn from one another. The goals of MEMs are support, networking, and equity — bringing design and making to all youth. During these bi-monthly meetups, educators will share with each other, provide support, network, and maybe even do a little making.
“What’s great about this is that we’re able to highlight Turtle Bay as a resource for teachers, as well as support the growth of collaborative opportunities for them outside the classroom,” said Laurinda Willard, Education and Programs Manager at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. “The idea came to us via Michelle Carlson who has been attending a similar event in San Francisco at the Exploratorium.”
Carlson added, “Over the past year, I’ve been attending the Bay Area Maker Educator Meetups and have found them to be an invaluable resource for learning and inspiration related to making in the classroom. It was easy to see how a similar opportunity could really benefit teachers in the north state.”
The Meetups will be informal in nature and free for educators interested in learning about the maker education movement and how they can incorporate hands on learning activities in their classroom. Each event will focus on a particular type of activity and promises to be fun and engaging.
The first North State MEM will be held on February 18, 2016 from 6 to 8 pm in the classroom at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to visit http://www.
