Not everyone is a maker*, yet everyone “makes” him- or herself through a process of learning. We acquire knowledge from different fields through different channels, in distinct places, with selected people and at certain times. However, some of these encounters are more influential in the “making” of ourselves than others. The more we become ourselves, the more we actively choose our spaces of living, working and becoming.
The aim of this workshop is to enlarge our understanding of the powerful yet specific environments and settings that support not only learning in its broadest sense but have a lasting impact on us. What are these important places? Schools? Science Centres? Museums? MakerSpaces? Or somewhere completely different?
Part 2. Is there a guideline for the design of successful spaces of becoming?
In the concluding part of the two-part workshop, we’ll move from the psychological aspects of spaces of becoming toward one regarding design and operations of environments. Our set of speakers will present examples of ongoing projects in the quest for “spaces of becoming” today and together we’ll examine the Ecsite conference MakerSpace of the previous three days to see how it fits the description of a space of becoming.
* maker: The maker movement is nourished by the claim of Neil Gershenfeld, Director of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, that today it is possible “to make (almost) anything” locally and in a bottom-up way, using technology for rapid prototyping which has become affordable. Making relies on open-source instructions and global networking.
