Making Spaces Project IOE, UCL

In this newsletter: 3-STEP approach accredited trainer course update; new papers out now; Join us at ESERA 2025; Other news from the team

✅Read our July 2025 newsletter update now:
mailchi.mp/f73144a2237f...

👍Not on our mailing list? sign up here: mailchi.mp/0b76c9954749...

We were thrilled last week to present at #UNIMAKER 2025, at the University of Salford. Dr. Meghna Nag Chowdhuri (Making Spaces co-PI) delivered a lightning talk introducing our project and 3-STEP approach to embedding #equity in #makerspaces. Find out more about our work here: m4kingspaces.org

Our project PI Louise Archer contributed to a report from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) in May, read the summary in this news piece from @ioe.bsky.social below!

‼️ When do Girls fall behind in Maths?

Shockingly, new research suggests that gender gaps can be seen from as early as 4 months into children's first year at school.

Meghna Nag Chowdhuri comments on this research and what might be done here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Image of a building with three rooms. In each room there are people working. Text in the image reads: Governance, Strategy, Practice: Equity embedded across all.

We are over half way in our 3-STEP Approach Trainee Accreditation Course! Workshop 4 explored STEP2 'DO' Action areas: Equitable Governance & Inclusive Access and Outreach.

🦸‍♀️ Where does power sit in your organisation and how is equity embedded in your strategy and decision making m4kingspaces.org

screen shot of the article publishing page. Article title: From STEM learning ecosystems to STEM learning markets: critically conceptualising relationships between formal and informal STEM learning provision.

New paper from our team exploring relationships between formal and informal #STEM #learning provision, using a 'STEM learning markets' metaphor.
Read now in the international Journal of STEM education:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#markets #ISL #education #youth
@lr-foundation.bsky.social

Equitable pedagogy lightbulb illustration. Inside the lightbulb there are four segments: learning, engagement, values and principles.

🟢 How would you describe your own pedagogy?​
🟣 What elements make it equitable?
Some questions we asked our 3-STEP approach Accredited Trainee trainees in lasts Thursday's workshop. Feel free to write your responses in the comments below! m4kingspaces.org
#pedagogy #makerspaces #STEM #equity

THE VALUE OF DISCOMFORT (text box) Engaging in critical reflection can sometimes feel uncomfortable for many reasons. For instance, if you are from a more privileged background, then it can feel uncomfortable to recognise the many ways in which you benefit from existing power relations, particularly when this is at the expense of others. It can also be an uncomfortable reminder of painful experiences for those who suffer from societal injustices. As a professional, it can also feel uncomfortable to have your usual way of doing things questioned. But discomfort can be hugely productive and a welcome sign that you are on the right track. When you embrace this discomfort and bravely engage in thoughtful critical reflection it can greatly deepen your practice and understanding. However, we recognise that this process takes time and commitment – equity work is a journey and an ongoing process, it is not a simple tick-box exercise.

We hosted the 2nd workshops of our 3-STEP Accredited Trainer Course yesterday! Concluding content on STEP 1, we discussed 'discomfort' in #equitable practice, asking how we:
✅ Make a case for #EDI in the face of resistance
✅ Confront #injustice in productive ways

m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...

Proud to be based at @ioe.bsky.social 🤩

Shocking to see that the gap between girls and boys attainment in #maths and #science is widening in the #UK.

Unfortunately this is an issue we also see in informal #STEM ed, in sites such as #makerspaces - read more about our research in our latest article:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...

Today marks the start of #NationalCareersWeek.

Engineering needs people with a range of skills and expertise. From fashion to robotics, explore the range of engineering careers available: thisisengineering.org.uk/careers/
#ThisIsEngineering

Promotion image of the event. Text says I'm speaking at the UK Computing Summit 2025, next to an image of professor Louise Archer (White female wearing glasses). At the bottom of the image are the event sponsor logos, BCS, CPHC and UKCRC.

Louise is speaking at the UK Computing Summit at Sheffield Hallam University on 29th/30th April.
BCS, CPHC and UKCRC invites those engaged in higher ed. and computing to connect, learn and shape the conversation around key topics in the sector.
More here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-computi...

Illustration showing a brain with a door, and a path leading up to the door. On the path are stick people walking up and down. One of the people stands at the end of the path with a flag. Text around the path says "we are works in progress!" and "An Equity mindset is a Journey!"

Great to start our Accredited Trainer Course today and say hi to participants from around the world!

We started by discussing how to build our 'equity mindset'.

Explore this idea in 'STEP 1: Prepare' in our guidebook and course, available on our website here:
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...

Ministers urged to ensure climate change is taught across curriculum Experts say teachers want more professional development support to teach climate change and sustainability

Over 150 climate and education experts have urged the government to prioritise sustainability education to help tackle the climate crisis. The open letter was led by UCL Centre for Climate Change & Sustainability Education @ioe.bsky.social & @globalactionplan.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...

@ioe.bsky.social

Frontiers | “It’s always been a challenge, right?” An analysis of the affordances and limitations of STEM educators’ attempts to improve gender equity in Global South and North makerspaces

New paper from the team analysing gender equity in makerspaces. We explore:
✅Educators’ attempts to improve gender equitable practice
🚫Shared challenges and barriers to gender equity
📈Steps taken by practitioners to support greater gender equity

Read now:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...

Shift Click: Start your coding journey today Free skills-led training for young people who are looking to find employment or apprenticeship in the digital industry.

Our Shift Click course doesn't just teach digital skills and how to build websites. It comes with bespoke careers advice and an insight into working in the industry too.

Applications are still open (a few places left!) for those aged 18-30 years old and living in Greater Manchester - shiftclick.uk

📬Emails to applicants went out on Monday - if you applied, please check your inboxes and junk mail for an email from us 👀

Quote with image of young person writing at a desk. Quote from a youth participant reads: Using the skills I got from participating in the makerspace, my career has been propelled forwards in ways that I could not even imagine. My life has change drastically.

Image of a young person using a 3D printer with a quote. The quote from a youth participant reads: Apart from the making, the equipment like 3D printing, I really appreciate the positive behaviour and respect towards us by the facilitators. We could see the facilitators really valued our opinions. It felt like home for us. And to make it more comfortable, I used to address the facilitators as bother and sister.

What was the impact of the Making Spaces project 2022-2024 for young people?

Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...

#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople

Quote with image. Quote reads: I have always found it difficult as a woman in this field, because it is a male dominated sector. This project provided an opportunity to share these ideas with my colleagues [...] it has helped normalise these issues within our organisation.

What was the impact of the Making Spaces project 2022-2024 for practitioners?

Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...

#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople

Over 2,880 young people were engaged in makerspace programmes during the Making Spaces project from September 2022-August 2024!

Find out more about the impact from our project in our new report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...

@lr-foundation.bsky.social

❌ APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED ❌

Many thanks to everyone who applied. We are now beginning the shortlisting process and hope to have responses to applicants in early February.

Missed the deadline? 😥 We still have FREE professional development resources on our website!
m4kingspaces.org/resources/

Read our new Impact and Evaluation Report 2024!
Find out:
🤖 What the project achieved from 2022-2024
🔭 How the work was conducted
🎯 The impact of our activities
🔬 About our findings through illustrative case studies
m4kingspaces.org/wp-content/u...

Great to host a Q&A session on Weds for potential applicants of our new 3 SSTEP accreditation course.

Find the slides and list of questioned asked on our website under 'information for applicants':
m4kingspaces.org/accreditatio...

Submit your applications by 12:00am GMT (UK time) 15th January 👍

Q+A session today at 4pm!

Still some spaces left - sign up now:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...

❓Interested in applying to our new Accredited Trainer Course but have questions?

We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...

Calling all informal STEM practitioners. Paid training course from UCL's Institute of Education (Number 1 globally - 2024 QS World University Rankings).

MadLab has been proud to be a Making Spaces partner for the last four+ years.

Q+A Session on Jan 8th at 4pm: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...

We are delighted to receive funding from @lr-foundation.bsky.social to run an Accredited Trainer Course in 2025. We are recruiting 50 international #STEM practitioners to become accredited trainers of the 3-Steps Towards Equitable Practice Approach in #Makerspaces and #ISL
👉 bit.ly/accreditedtr...

Hello Blue Sky! Please follow us if you are interested in #STEM #education #makerspaces and #socialjustice!