Throughout this course, I got to try so many hands-on activities everything from building arcade games and pine-cone friends to 3D printing, prototyping, boat-building, and even taking apart a VCR. Each project helped me see how creativity, problem-solving, and iteration naturally come out when students are engaged and invested in what they’re making. A big theme that kept coming up for me was how powerful buy-in is. Whether it was a simple aluminum-foil boat or a more complex coded game, I noticed how much more motivated we all were when the activity felt meaningful or personal. I also learned that mistakes, adjustments, and trying again are not just part of the process they fuel it.
Overall, this maker journey showed me how important it is to create opportunities where students can explore, take risks, and express themselves. These experiences reminded me that fostering creativity and a growth mindset will always be something I carry into my future classroom.