Everyone is a Maker, but not Everyone has Access -TEDx Talk

[Mark Barnett]

Hi, I just wanted to share my TEDx talk and discuss access to technology for making in schools. How do you help to promote making in schools and expand opportunities for all students? What strategies do you use to expand opportunities for under-represented groups?

youtu.be/8PZN7eduO-g 

-thanks

Mark Barnett
Chief Technology Strategist

IDRA.org

Intercultural Development Research Association

Cell Phone: 830-480-4978

https://www.linkedin.com/in/makermark

https://www.twitter.com/Maker_Mark

http://makerfairesanantonio.com/

Advisor at Geekbus.com

[Lucie deLaBruere]

This is an important topic, Mark. 

Loved your talk and appreciate you starting the conversation. 

The two areas in your talk that I spend a lot of time thinking about, talking about, and trying to increase access in are gender  and rural areas.   I could write a book on strategies that I've learned in the 20+ years I have been working with girls in Tech -- let me mention just one  of these.  Hosting some single gender activities works to provide a safe place for girls to take risk, try things they might not otherwise try, and provide access to an environment  where they are learning, creating, making with their peer group.   This year will be the 17th year in a row that the TechSavvy Girls program I started in 2000 will be offering  a summer camp for girls in grades 4-12.  Last year we started offering some Girls Make It Days during the school year to keep working on providing increased access and opportunities to girls around creating and making with technology. 

http://www.techsavvygirls.com

The other areas  - access in rural areas

One of the challenges with living and teaching in a rural area is that it lacks some of the resources of a more urban or suburban area.   When you live in a rural area, it might be a 2-3 hour drive to get to a physical makerspace or to events that feature making.  Chances are your schools and libraries have limited population and limited financial resources.  Scale does not work in your favor when trying to host an event that will draw the participation and resources needed.    

So one of the things I did last summer was to trade in my Honda Fitt for a mobile studio for creating and making that I can take to to rural areas to create pop-up maker events.  
I named her "EMMA"  Everyone Make Make Anywhere.   I was very much inspired by my visit to the GeekBus.   I considered looking for some type of funding,  but then decided that  'fundraising'  would consume all my time, so I started looking  for something I could do NOW.. and when I found EMMA, I knew she was the one. 

http://www.createmakelearn.org/emma