MakerSpace - Plant as Creative Expression

By Debi Tice

The 2018 School Library Leadership Academy in Juneau focused on the lens of STEAM.  I am a champion of the A in STEAM and feel that there is art in all that we do. I was particularly excited to have a chance to listen to Laura Connor, Research Associate Professor at UAF.  Her presentation on “STEAM- The Colors of Nature” served as the inspiration for a future collaboration between the library, the middle school art teacher, and the 7th grade science teachers.  The first few days of school being back in session this August came with, tears, hugs, smiles, laughter, and conversations about scheduling.  I discussed the idea of collaboration between art and the 7th grade science native Alaskan tree unit and a way the library could support them both.  Resulting from the discussion and the inspiration from Laura Connor is the following MakerSpace lesson idea in a skeleton form that would can be adapted for grade levels and content areas.  

​Summarizing the Project:  What elements of native Alaskan plants make them valuable for creative expression?

• Concept(s) addressed:     
  • Plants have inherent characteristics that are desirable for creating art/craft projects
  • The elements of a plant can direct the design and form of artistic expression

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