Making Spaces Project IOE, UCL
@makingspaces.bsky.social
Making Spaces is an international collaboration to develop and share inclusive and equitable practices in makerspaces.
We are a partnership of researchers (based at IOE, UCL) and international ISL/ Makerspace practitioners. sihttps://m4kingspaces.or
We are a partnership of researchers (based at IOE, UCL) and international ISL/ Makerspace practitioners. sihttps://m4kingspaces.or
✅Read our July 2025 newsletter update now:
mailchi.mp/f73144a2237f...
👍Not on our mailing list? sign up here: mailchi.mp/0b76c9954749...
mailchi.mp/f73144a2237f...
👍Not on our mailing list? sign up here: mailchi.mp/0b76c9954749...
July 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
✅Read our July 2025 newsletter update now:
mailchi.mp/f73144a2237f...
👍Not on our mailing list? sign up here: mailchi.mp/0b76c9954749...
mailchi.mp/f73144a2237f...
👍Not on our mailing list? sign up here: mailchi.mp/0b76c9954749...
We were thrilled last week to present at #UNIMAKER 2025, at the University of Salford. Dr. Meghna Nag Chowdhuri (Making Spaces co-PI) delivered a lightning talk introducing our project and 3-STEP approach to embedding #equity in #makerspaces. Find out more about our work here: m4kingspaces.org
July 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
We were thrilled last week to present at #UNIMAKER 2025, at the University of Salford. Dr. Meghna Nag Chowdhuri (Making Spaces co-PI) delivered a lightning talk introducing our project and 3-STEP approach to embedding #equity in #makerspaces. Find out more about our work here: m4kingspaces.org
Our project PI Louise Archer contributed to a report from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) in May, read the summary in this news piece from @ioe.bsky.social below!
IOE educational expertise is informing policy making from UK Parliament, including
- improving school wellbeing,
- support for neurodivergent young people,
- educational routes to STEM careers and challenges to this pipeline, and
- the impact of AI on education.
www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/...
- improving school wellbeing,
- support for neurodivergent young people,
- educational routes to STEM careers and challenges to this pipeline, and
- the impact of AI on education.
www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2025/...
How UCL’s educational expertise is informing UK Parliament policy making | IOE - Faculty of Education and Society
IOE expertise fed into Parliamentary reports and debates on school wellbeing, support for neurodivergent young people, and the STEM skills pipeline, including the impact of AI on education.
www.ucl.ac.uk
July 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Our project PI Louise Archer contributed to a report from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) in May, read the summary in this news piece from @ioe.bsky.social below!
‼️ When do Girls fall behind in Maths?
Shockingly, new research suggests that gender gaps can be seen from as early as 4 months into children's first year at school.
Meghna Nag Chowdhuri comments on this research and what might be done here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Shockingly, new research suggests that gender gaps can be seen from as early as 4 months into children's first year at school.
Meghna Nag Chowdhuri comments on this research and what might be done here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
June 13, 2025 at 8:41 AM
‼️ When do Girls fall behind in Maths?
Shockingly, new research suggests that gender gaps can be seen from as early as 4 months into children's first year at school.
Meghna Nag Chowdhuri comments on this research and what might be done here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Shockingly, new research suggests that gender gaps can be seen from as early as 4 months into children's first year at school.
Meghna Nag Chowdhuri comments on this research and what might be done here:
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
We are over half way in our 3-STEP Approach Trainee Accreditation Course! Workshop 4 explored STEP2 'DO' Action areas: Equitable Governance & Inclusive Access and Outreach.
🦸♀️ Where does power sit in your organisation and how is equity embedded in your strategy and decision making m4kingspaces.org
🦸♀️ Where does power sit in your organisation and how is equity embedded in your strategy and decision making m4kingspaces.org
May 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
We are over half way in our 3-STEP Approach Trainee Accreditation Course! Workshop 4 explored STEP2 'DO' Action areas: Equitable Governance & Inclusive Access and Outreach.
🦸♀️ Where does power sit in your organisation and how is equity embedded in your strategy and decision making m4kingspaces.org
🦸♀️ Where does power sit in your organisation and how is equity embedded in your strategy and decision making m4kingspaces.org
New paper from our team exploring relationships between formal and informal #STEM #learning provision, using a 'STEM learning markets' metaphor.
Read now in the international Journal of STEM education:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#markets #ISL #education #youth
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
Read now in the international Journal of STEM education:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#markets #ISL #education #youth
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
April 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
New paper from our team exploring relationships between formal and informal #STEM #learning provision, using a 'STEM learning markets' metaphor.
Read now in the international Journal of STEM education:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#markets #ISL #education #youth
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
Read now in the international Journal of STEM education:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#markets #ISL #education #youth
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
🟢 How would you describe your own pedagogy?
🟣 What elements make it equitable?
Some questions we asked our 3-STEP approach Accredited Trainee trainees in lasts Thursday's workshop. Feel free to write your responses in the comments below! m4kingspaces.org
#pedagogy #makerspaces #STEM #equity
🟣 What elements make it equitable?
Some questions we asked our 3-STEP approach Accredited Trainee trainees in lasts Thursday's workshop. Feel free to write your responses in the comments below! m4kingspaces.org
#pedagogy #makerspaces #STEM #equity
April 28, 2025 at 10:38 AM
🟢 How would you describe your own pedagogy?
🟣 What elements make it equitable?
Some questions we asked our 3-STEP approach Accredited Trainee trainees in lasts Thursday's workshop. Feel free to write your responses in the comments below! m4kingspaces.org
#pedagogy #makerspaces #STEM #equity
🟣 What elements make it equitable?
Some questions we asked our 3-STEP approach Accredited Trainee trainees in lasts Thursday's workshop. Feel free to write your responses in the comments below! m4kingspaces.org
#pedagogy #makerspaces #STEM #equity
We hosted the 2nd workshops of our 3-STEP Accredited Trainer Course yesterday! Concluding content on STEP 1, we discussed 'discomfort' in #equitable practice, asking how we:
✅ Make a case for #EDI in the face of resistance
✅ Confront #injustice in productive ways
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
✅ Make a case for #EDI in the face of resistance
✅ Confront #injustice in productive ways
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
March 28, 2025 at 4:11 PM
We hosted the 2nd workshops of our 3-STEP Accredited Trainer Course yesterday! Concluding content on STEP 1, we discussed 'discomfort' in #equitable practice, asking how we:
✅ Make a case for #EDI in the face of resistance
✅ Confront #injustice in productive ways
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
✅ Make a case for #EDI in the face of resistance
✅ Confront #injustice in productive ways
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
Proud to be based at @ioe.bsky.social 🤩
#1 for 12 years in a row ✨
@ucl.ac.uk's IOE is ranked first for Education in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
#QSWUR #WeAreIOE
@ucl.ac.uk's IOE is ranked first for Education in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
#QSWUR #WeAreIOE
March 12, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Proud to be based at @ioe.bsky.social 🤩
Shocking to see that the gap between girls and boys attainment in #maths and #science is widening in the #UK.
Unfortunately this is an issue we also see in informal #STEM ed, in sites such as #makerspaces - read more about our research in our latest article:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Unfortunately this is an issue we also see in informal #STEM ed, in sites such as #makerspaces - read more about our research in our latest article:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Boys in years 5 and 9 in England are significantly outperforming girls in maths and science, finds volume 2 of the Trends in International Maths & Science 2023 report for England #TIMSS, led by UCL www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/ma... @ioe.bsky.social
Boys in England significantly outperforming girls in maths and science
Recent data shows boys in years 5 and 9 in England have scored significantly higher than girls in maths and science compared with 2019, report UCL researchers who analysed the latest Trends in Interna...
www.ucl.ac.uk
March 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Shocking to see that the gap between girls and boys attainment in #maths and #science is widening in the #UK.
Unfortunately this is an issue we also see in informal #STEM ed, in sites such as #makerspaces - read more about our research in our latest article:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Unfortunately this is an issue we also see in informal #STEM ed, in sites such as #makerspaces - read more about our research in our latest article:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Reposted by Making Spaces Project IOE, UCL
Today marks the start of #NationalCareersWeek.
Engineering needs people with a range of skills and expertise. From fashion to robotics, explore the range of engineering careers available: thisisengineering.org.uk/careers/
#ThisIsEngineering
Engineering needs people with a range of skills and expertise. From fashion to robotics, explore the range of engineering careers available: thisisengineering.org.uk/careers/
#ThisIsEngineering
March 3, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Today marks the start of #NationalCareersWeek.
Engineering needs people with a range of skills and expertise. From fashion to robotics, explore the range of engineering careers available: thisisengineering.org.uk/careers/
#ThisIsEngineering
Engineering needs people with a range of skills and expertise. From fashion to robotics, explore the range of engineering careers available: thisisengineering.org.uk/careers/
#ThisIsEngineering
Louise is speaking at the UK Computing Summit at Sheffield Hallam University on 29th/30th April.
BCS, CPHC and UKCRC invites those engaged in higher ed. and computing to connect, learn and shape the conversation around key topics in the sector.
More here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-computi...
BCS, CPHC and UKCRC invites those engaged in higher ed. and computing to connect, learn and shape the conversation around key topics in the sector.
More here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-computi...
March 3, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Louise is speaking at the UK Computing Summit at Sheffield Hallam University on 29th/30th April.
BCS, CPHC and UKCRC invites those engaged in higher ed. and computing to connect, learn and shape the conversation around key topics in the sector.
More here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-computi...
BCS, CPHC and UKCRC invites those engaged in higher ed. and computing to connect, learn and shape the conversation around key topics in the sector.
More here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-computi...
Great to start our Accredited Trainer Course today and say hi to participants from around the world!
We started by discussing how to build our 'equity mindset'.
Explore this idea in 'STEP 1: Prepare' in our guidebook and course, available on our website here:
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
We started by discussing how to build our 'equity mindset'.
Explore this idea in 'STEP 1: Prepare' in our guidebook and course, available on our website here:
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
February 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Great to start our Accredited Trainer Course today and say hi to participants from around the world!
We started by discussing how to build our 'equity mindset'.
Explore this idea in 'STEP 1: Prepare' in our guidebook and course, available on our website here:
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
We started by discussing how to build our 'equity mindset'.
Explore this idea in 'STEP 1: Prepare' in our guidebook and course, available on our website here:
m4kingspaces.org/resources/to...
Reposted by Making Spaces Project IOE, UCL
Over 150 climate and education experts have urged the government to prioritise sustainability education to help tackle the climate crisis. The open letter was led by UCL Centre for Climate Change & Sustainability Education @ioe.bsky.social & @globalactionplan.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Ministers urged to ensure climate change is taught across curriculum
Experts say teachers want more professional development support to teach climate change and sustainability
www.tes.com
February 27, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Over 150 climate and education experts have urged the government to prioritise sustainability education to help tackle the climate crisis. The open letter was led by UCL Centre for Climate Change & Sustainability Education @ioe.bsky.social & @globalactionplan.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
New paper from the team analysing gender equity in makerspaces. We explore:
✅Educators’ attempts to improve gender equitable practice
🚫Shared challenges and barriers to gender equity
📈Steps taken by practitioners to support greater gender equity
Read now:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
✅Educators’ attempts to improve gender equitable practice
🚫Shared challenges and barriers to gender equity
📈Steps taken by practitioners to support greater gender equity
Read now:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Frontiers | “It’s always been a challenge, right?” An analysis of the affordances and limitations of STEM educators’ attempts to improve gender equity in Global South and North makerspaces
www.frontiersin.org
February 24, 2025 at 10:13 AM
New paper from the team analysing gender equity in makerspaces. We explore:
✅Educators’ attempts to improve gender equitable practice
🚫Shared challenges and barriers to gender equity
📈Steps taken by practitioners to support greater gender equity
Read now:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
✅Educators’ attempts to improve gender equitable practice
🚫Shared challenges and barriers to gender equity
📈Steps taken by practitioners to support greater gender equity
Read now:
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Reposted by Making Spaces Project IOE, UCL
Our Shift Click course doesn't just teach digital skills and how to build websites. It comes with bespoke careers advice and an insight into working in the industry too.
Applications are still open (a few places left!) for those aged 18-30 years old and living in Greater Manchester - shiftclick.uk
Applications are still open (a few places left!) for those aged 18-30 years old and living in Greater Manchester - shiftclick.uk
Shift Click: Start your coding journey today
Free skills-led training for young people who are looking to find employment or apprenticeship in the digital industry.
shiftclick.uk
February 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Our Shift Click course doesn't just teach digital skills and how to build websites. It comes with bespoke careers advice and an insight into working in the industry too.
Applications are still open (a few places left!) for those aged 18-30 years old and living in Greater Manchester - shiftclick.uk
Applications are still open (a few places left!) for those aged 18-30 years old and living in Greater Manchester - shiftclick.uk
📬Emails to applicants went out on Monday - if you applied, please check your inboxes and junk mail for an email from us 👀
❌ APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED ❌
Many thanks to everyone who applied. We are now beginning the shortlisting process and hope to have responses to applicants in early February.
Missed the deadline? 😥 We still have FREE professional development resources on our website!
m4kingspaces.org/resources/
Many thanks to everyone who applied. We are now beginning the shortlisting process and hope to have responses to applicants in early February.
Missed the deadline? 😥 We still have FREE professional development resources on our website!
m4kingspaces.org/resources/
❓Interested in applying to our new Accredited Trainer Course but have questions?
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...
February 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
📬Emails to applicants went out on Monday - if you applied, please check your inboxes and junk mail for an email from us 👀
What was the impact of the Making Spaces project 2022-2024 for young people?
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
February 5, 2025 at 11:40 AM
What was the impact of the Making Spaces project 2022-2024 for young people?
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
What was the impact of the Making Spaces project 2022-2024 for practitioners?
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
![Quote with image. Quote reads: I have always found it difficult as a woman in this field, because it is a male dominated sector. This project provided an opportunity to share these ideas with my colleagues [...] it has helped normalise these issues within our organisation.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qou4kn33xac6z7ry4ur26fk6/bafkreid3gof7qp2rnkvblaqfzbzds6fthnzde5grtbbjjhztspuojpcyci@jpeg)
January 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
What was the impact of the Making Spaces project 2022-2024 for practitioners?
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
Find out more about in our new impact and evaluation report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
#makerspace #ISL #space #equity #inclusion #practitioners #youngpeople
Over 2,880 young people were engaged in makerspace programmes during the Making Spaces project from September 2022-August 2024!
Find out more about the impact from our project in our new report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
Find out more about the impact from our project in our new report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
January 17, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Over 2,880 young people were engaged in makerspace programmes during the Making Spaces project from September 2022-August 2024!
Find out more about the impact from our project in our new report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
Find out more about the impact from our project in our new report:
discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...
@lr-foundation.bsky.social
❌ APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED ❌
Many thanks to everyone who applied. We are now beginning the shortlisting process and hope to have responses to applicants in early February.
Missed the deadline? 😥 We still have FREE professional development resources on our website!
m4kingspaces.org/resources/
Many thanks to everyone who applied. We are now beginning the shortlisting process and hope to have responses to applicants in early February.
Missed the deadline? 😥 We still have FREE professional development resources on our website!
m4kingspaces.org/resources/
❓Interested in applying to our new Accredited Trainer Course but have questions?
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...
January 17, 2025 at 10:52 AM
❌ APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED ❌
Many thanks to everyone who applied. We are now beginning the shortlisting process and hope to have responses to applicants in early February.
Missed the deadline? 😥 We still have FREE professional development resources on our website!
m4kingspaces.org/resources/
Many thanks to everyone who applied. We are now beginning the shortlisting process and hope to have responses to applicants in early February.
Missed the deadline? 😥 We still have FREE professional development resources on our website!
m4kingspaces.org/resources/
Read our new Impact and Evaluation Report 2024!
Find out:
🤖 What the project achieved from 2022-2024
🔭 How the work was conducted
🎯 The impact of our activities
🔬 About our findings through illustrative case studies
m4kingspaces.org/wp-content/u...
Find out:
🤖 What the project achieved from 2022-2024
🔭 How the work was conducted
🎯 The impact of our activities
🔬 About our findings through illustrative case studies
m4kingspaces.org/wp-content/u...
January 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Read our new Impact and Evaluation Report 2024!
Find out:
🤖 What the project achieved from 2022-2024
🔭 How the work was conducted
🎯 The impact of our activities
🔬 About our findings through illustrative case studies
m4kingspaces.org/wp-content/u...
Find out:
🤖 What the project achieved from 2022-2024
🔭 How the work was conducted
🎯 The impact of our activities
🔬 About our findings through illustrative case studies
m4kingspaces.org/wp-content/u...
Great to host a Q&A session on Weds for potential applicants of our new 3 SSTEP accreditation course.
Find the slides and list of questioned asked on our website under 'information for applicants':
m4kingspaces.org/accreditatio...
Submit your applications by 12:00am GMT (UK time) 15th January 👍
Find the slides and list of questioned asked on our website under 'information for applicants':
m4kingspaces.org/accreditatio...
Submit your applications by 12:00am GMT (UK time) 15th January 👍
Accreditation course - Making Spaces
We are delighted to announce that we have received funding from Lloyd’s Register Foundation to run a ‘train the trainer’ course in 2025. The course will train
m4kingspaces.org
January 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Great to host a Q&A session on Weds for potential applicants of our new 3 SSTEP accreditation course.
Find the slides and list of questioned asked on our website under 'information for applicants':
m4kingspaces.org/accreditatio...
Submit your applications by 12:00am GMT (UK time) 15th January 👍
Find the slides and list of questioned asked on our website under 'information for applicants':
m4kingspaces.org/accreditatio...
Submit your applications by 12:00am GMT (UK time) 15th January 👍
January 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
❓Interested in applying to our new Accredited Trainer Course but have questions?
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...
January 6, 2025 at 1:50 PM
❓Interested in applying to our new Accredited Trainer Course but have questions?
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...
We are hosting a Q&A session this Wednesday 8th January 16:00-16:30 GMT ! See event details here and sign up now!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qa-informa...