A1)  This is a great question and a challenge! I am in the same boat, so to speak! With my makerspace, I stick with general materials such as legos, simple circuit (wires, batteries, light bulbs, switches), kinex, foam blocks, to name a few. Where I look for motivation is within the challenges that I strategically set forth for varying grade levels. Keep the challenges simple and add restraints as kids advance in age or skills. If you would like more specific information about how I do this, please contact me! I can even share the actual activities I use! Rebeccaschnekser :at: capehenry.org

A2)   Think about creating centers for exploring. If you are calling your space a makerspace think of this definition. Laura Fleming says it best “A makerspace is a metaphor for a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play, and open-ended exploration for all. Kindergarten is the best because their little minds have not been washed of creativity from the general school model. They are the ones that will create unique things by just giving them tools. If you reach out to me at travis.lape :at: k12.sd.us I will gladly help more in developing this.

A3)   We have one makerspace on our campus to accommodate PreK – 8 classes and one resource that was particularly useful based on a Tufts University paper about determining makerspace values (https://sites.tufts.edu/makerspaceresources/files/2016/07/Meehan-2014-A-Card-Sorting-Task-to-Establish-Community-Values-in-Designing-Makerspaces.pdf) and this article (http://www.gettingsmart.com/2015/06/building-a-common-school-vision-for-your-makerspace/)

A4)  The idea is to get feedback from all of the stakeholders (especially students) and use the cards (we made our own set) to not only gauge interest, to demonstrate how specific Maker Ed activities connect to the school’s own values. The card sorting routine is basically a conversation guide and can be done in groups and individually.  This is something that I do at the beginning of the school year with the classes and has been very helpful. (Here’s a sample from last year: (https://www.instagram.com/p/BB_I71Usksm/)