Singapore American School offers great maker spaces and supportive teachers for our children to develop and discover themselves as creative problem solvers and team players. These are perfect spaces to achieve the DSLOs (desired student learning outcomes) of creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, content knowledge, character, and even cultural competence.

In this article, I cover two of such spaces at SAS: The creativity center in elementary school and the maker space in middle school.

As a parent of a third grader and a middle schooler, I’m grateful for the opportunities my children have at SAS.

Creativity Center—Elementary School

In the creativity center, students are excited to contribute to collaborative works using recycled materials. This space is managed by Ms. Charlotte Huston, who introduces themes that inspire students to create and participate, to have something to talk about, to find common interests, and to discover new ones.

Students from third through fifth grade can come to this space during their morning and lunch recesses, to create, socialize, and marvel.

Ms. Huston and a group of students are brainstorming solutions to hold up the head of this Harry Potter puppet. The puppet was made using donated and recycled materials. 

Great collaboration between two student volunteers and Ms. Huston on decorating a “Magic Mirror”

What can you do with a couple of empty egg boxes? Come to the creativity center and find out! Just by playing with materials ideas arise. Other times, students come with ideas and re-purpose recycled materials to turn those ideas into reality.

“I wonder who would like to make flobberworms?”, asked Ms. Huston, and immediately a group of students flocked to her ready to get started. Just a bit of inspiration, coupled with a meaningful exchange of ideas (did you know these worms are part of the Harry Potter world?) and off they go creating!

Ms. Huston created three sections, one per grade, where students can store their projects and continue working on them at the next recess.

Students can collaborate and get to know each other better using games and materials available at the creativity center. Here is a lovely group excited about building the highest tower possible, together.

Looking for a challenge? The creativity center offers plenty of hand-eye coordination games that get the students thinking with their bodies as well as their brains.

The creativity center is a cozy, fun and resource-full place, where the students develop friendships and work/play together on common interests.

If you would like to get in touch with the creativity center to volunteer or ask questions, please email: creativitycenter@sas.edu.sg. They are always looking forward to recycled material donations—only clean and safe items, please!

Maker Space—Middle School

This creative space is managed by Mr. James McMullen and Mr. Shahrin Aripin. They provide knowledgeable tips on how to get started and move ahead on projects that require tools you would normally find in your garage if you could afford that space in Singapore!

This student is smoothing out the surface of a freshly 3D-printed object, using sandpaper. Did your kids know there was such thing as sandpaper and what it could be used for? They do now if they have been to the maker space!

A student holding a sharp saw to cut some wood for his project. Isn’t it awesome that students get to work with real tools?

Mr. McMullen noticed that the placement of the wood was not beneficial for the table (it would most likely get cut if the student continued sawing!), so he invited the student to reflect on other ways he could secure the wood; Mr. McMullen did not provide the answer and because of that, immediately a group of students got together to try to solve the problem. Wonderful, right?

Meticulous work that involved concentration and manipulation of tools to achieve a goal. Some people call it a form of meditation too. A moment on his own, where this student could relax his mind while keeping it focused.

Creating with soft materials is also a form of meditation. As this student takes the time to model each piece, he can experience fulfillment as well as relaxation.

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for cleaning the space as well as using the tools and materials. Cleaning can be fun too, that vacuum is highly effective and fast, who doesn’t want to try it! What a great way to develop character in a real-life situation.

Mr. McMullen collaborating with students to create an electric miniature train track. The students learn to connect wires, do soldering, and so many more content knowledge skills to create something real and so fun, with the sole goal to enjoy the whole process.

Mr. Shahrin Aripin coaching students on how to create electric circuits, a basic skill if you want to contribute to more complex projects.

Our children are indeed privileged to be able to enjoy such spaces and passionate teachers at SAS.

Next time that you’re in school, drop by one of these amazing spaces and see for yourself. The teachers welcome parent volunteers who can coach students on some of the skills needed for the projects. What is your maker skill (aka hobby)?