I went to EdcampNJ, and attended the Maker Fair set up in the gym. Meredith Martin, an awesome educator and innovator, set up a few opportunities for people to make stuff. When I asked her about the cost of setting up a Makerspace, she said that most of the materials are available at Dollar Stores or in a desk, or storage area. So basically, there is not a lot of money required to start one.
Meredith encouraged visitors to either follow directions she set up or just follow their inner inventor! She uses Makerspaces in her school to give students time to tinker, invent, or improve. I can really see a Makerspace complementing the Genius Hour at our school.
Here are a few pictures of the MakerSpace:
A catapult made from rubber bands, spoons and Popsicle sticks
@SPSantilli and @Glennr1809 tinkering around
Want to start your own MakerSpace? Here are some resources:
Create a Makerspace in 3 simple steps