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STEAM Makers
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STEAM Makers
Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom

Second Edition


September 2025 | 192 pages | Corwin

Empower creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in your classroom!

As STEAM and Making become essential components of fostering student readiness for career, college, and beyond, this new edition of STEAM Makers offers innovative ways to integrate creativity, technology, and hands-on problem-solving into daily practice.

With a renewed focus on emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, and a global perspective, STEAM Makers provides educators with fresh approaches to cultivating students’ curiosity, innovation, and discovery skills. Readers will gain actionable strategies, from designing student-centered makerspaces to connecting with local and global partners, and learn from inspiring success stories from classrooms worldwide. This updated resource includes:

  • Case studies, vignettes, and photographs of projects
  • Practical and ready-to-use activities and STEAM Maker Starters
  • Integration of emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to foster 21st-century skills
  • An expanded focus on ensuring equitable and inclusive opportunities for all

With STEAM Makers, educators will gain the tools to inspire meaningful learning experiences that drive curiosity, creativity, and engagement. By fostering a mindset of exploration and design, educators can empower their students to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Preface

 
Acknowledgments

 
About the Author

 
INTRODUCTION

 
 
CHAPTER 1. WONDER
HISTORY OF STEM

 
WHAT ARE THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE?

 
ADDING THE A

 
LEFT BRAIN VERSUS RIGHT BRAIN

 
THE MAKER MOVEMENT

 
MAKER EDUCATION INITIATIVE

 
FIVE PILLARS OF STEAM AND MAKER EDUCATION

 
WHAT DOES MAKING LOOK LIKE IN SCHOOLS?

 
FIND IT! (SPACE)

 
FILL IT! (MATERIALS)

 
STAFF IT! (PEOPLE)

 
BUILD CURIOSITY AND WONDER

 
THE MINDSET

 
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

 
BUT WHAT ABOUT STANDARDS AND STATE ASSESSMENTS?

 
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS

 
SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES

 
CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS

 
CORE AREAS

 
EXPANDING STANDARDS

 
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CREATIVE IN A STANDARDS-BASED SYSTEM?

 
SUMMARY

 
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING

 
 
CHAPTER 2. THRIVE
DISTRICT LEADERSHIP

 
PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP

 
CHANGE MAKERS

 
PARENTS AND COMMUNITY

 
SOCIAL MEDIA MAKERS

 
BRIGANTINE SCHOOL DISTRICT: CREATING SPACES WHERE LEARNERS THRIVE

 
GAME MAKERS

 
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNERS TO THRIVE

 
ELEMENTS OF GAME DESIGN

 
A THRIVING STEAM MAKER ECOSYSTEM

 
THE SCOTT FAMILY AMAZEUM

 
HELPING LEARNERS TO THRIVE

 
SUMMARY

 
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING

 
 
CHAPTER 3. ADAPT
HOW SHOULD K–12 ENGINEERING BE TAUGHT?

 
SYSTEMS THINKING

 
CREATIVITY

 
OPTIMISM

 
COLLABORATION

 
COMMUNICATION

 
ATTENTION TO ETHICS

 
ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS

 
HABITS OF MIND

 
CREATIVITY IN DESIGN

 
ALL INCLUSIVE

 
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE

 
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (ELL)

 
STUDENTS WITH AUTISM

 
ENSURING ACCESS TO STEM

 
THE IMPACT OF AI ON STEAM AND MAKING

 
ADAPTING OUR APPROACH

 
SUMMARY

 
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING

 
 
CHAPTER 4. CONNECT
STEAM MAKER TEACHING

 
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

 
CONNECTED LEARNING

 
CREATIVE TEAMS

 
LITERATURE CONNECTIONS

 
LEADING FROM THE LIBRARY

 
SPEAKING, LISTENING, AND THINKING CONNECTIONS

 
SUMMARY

 
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING

 
 
CHAPTER 5. INVITE
INVITING THE OUTSIDE IN

 
INVITING COLLABORATION

 
AN OPEN INVITATION

 
INVITING STUDENTS TO USE THEIR VOICE

 
ACTIVITIES THAT INVITE LEARNERS IN

 
GET CREATIVE CHALLENGE

 
ONE WORD DESIGNS

 
INVITING LEARNERS INTO THE SPACE

 
A GLOBAL INVITATION TO CREATE

 
SUMMARY

 
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING

 
 
CHAPTER 6. PARTNER
REMAKE LEARNING

 
A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM

 
CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

 
PARTNER ON A LOCAL PROJECT

 
ARTISTS AS PARTNERS

 
CONNECT TO LOCAL EXPERTS

 
ESTABLISH CORPORATE PARTNERS

 
EXPLORING PARTNERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

 
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

 
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AS PARTNERS

 
CONNECT WITH THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

 
SUMMARY

 
EXPANDING YOUR THINKING

 
 
CHAPTER 7. EXPAND
GROWING PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS

 
EXPANDING MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

 
EXPANDING OUR ROLES

 
EXPAND YOUR PROGRAMS THROUGH GRANTS

 
MY PERSPECTIVE

 
SUMMARY

 
 
Appendices
APPENDIX A. GAME DESIGN PLANNING SHEET

 
APPENDIX B. DESIGN CHALLENGE TEMPLATE

 
APPENDIX C. STUDENT INTEREST SURVEYS

 
APPENDIX D. DESIGN PLAN TEMPLATE

 
APPENDIX E. BOOKS TO START YOUR STEM LIBRARY

 
APPENDIX F. GET CREATIVE DESIGN TEMPLATE

 
APPENDIX G. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE TO PROMOTE SOCIAL GOOD

 
APPENDIX H. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS EXTENSION IDEAS

 
APPENDIX I. MAKERSPACE SUPPLY LIST A–Z

 
APPENDIX J. CHOICE BOARDS

 
APPENDIX K. LET’S MAKE SLIME

 
References and Additional Resources

 
Index

 

"In the new edition of STEAM Makers, Maslyk shows us how we can bring in curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, self-directed learning, and a failure mindset into our classrooms and schools while addressing curriculum standards and literacy skills. The book provides everything you need to get started or level up your existing STEAM practices. As a former teacher-librarian, I also really appreciated the comprehensive ideas around children's books, which can be used to set the stage for projects, and also how libraries can support teachers on their journey. STEAM Makers centers student choice and voice with the educator as amplifier and facilitator and lists ideas for community involvement, all of which are necessary in a world where information can be accessed so easily. This book is a must-read!"

Jennifer Casa-Todd
Faculty Lecturer, Lakehead University, Ontario

"The insightful brilliance of Jacie Maslyk returns in an inspiring, updated edition of STEAM Makers. Just as STEAM evolves and sparks continuous growth, Jacie expands her vision, serving as both mentor and motivator for educators seeking innovative ways to ignite learning. Far beyond a how-to manual, this book vibrantly pulses with actionable ideas and heartfelt wisdom, encouraging a culture of creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. As a principal and educator, I found myself continually inspired, nodding along to Jacie’s passionate, crackling prose. Truly, this new edition is an essential anthem for anyone eager to amplify innovation in the schoolhouse through the powerful lens of STEAM."

Sean Gaillard
Principal, Charles England Elementary School, NC

"In the second edition of STEAM Makers, Dr. Jacie Maslyk uplifts the power of creativity, innovation, and authentic learning experiences for each of our students. This resource amplifies what’s possible when we foster curiosity, student agency, and real-world problem-solving. Jacie’s work is a true celebration of community-driven, transformative education—and a must-have for educators who believe in empowering learners to lead the future."

Sarah Thomas, PhD
Founder, EduMatch

“STEAM Makers is more than a book—it’s a blueprint for reimagining learning. It empowers teachers, librarians, and school leaders to design inclusive spaces where creativity thrives and student voice leads the way. Whether you're launching a makerspace, designing hands-on PD, or connecting curriculum to global goals, this guide offers practical tools and powerful inspiration. It helps cultivate the kind of curiosity and innovation today’s students need to become tomorrow’s changemakers!”

Jennifer Womble
Chair of Future of Education Technology Conference/District Administration, FL

"This is a great book for any educator looking to add more STEM to their classroom. It's filled with quick ideas and guiding principles, and the included profiles of STEAM leaders are terrific examples of what to aspire to as a STEAM Maker."

Chris Woods
Teacher, DailySTEM

Sample Materials & Chapters

Maslyk STEAM Makers_Look Inside Content.pdf


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781071981078
£26.99