By facilitating Start Making! activities you can help young people develop a variety of creative competencies. In the process of making meaningful projects, young people learn new concepts and design skills. They become comfortable using a variety of tools and technologies to make projects. They gain confidence in their ability to bring their ideas to life and to persist through setbacks. In addition, they develop positive relationships through collaborating and helping others. Through this experience, they begin to see themselves as makers: as individuals who enjoy coming up with new ideas, creating personal projects, experimenting with new materials, and sharing their skills with others.

How can you inspire young people to continue making projects, trying new things, and going deeper into areas that they find interesting and meaningful? Here are some ways we’ve found to open up further opportunities for making and learning:

1. Host an idea potluck. Organize a workshop where everyone brings an idea, shares the idea, and then works with others to make all the ideas come to life.
2. Find extraordinary uses for ordinary things. Encourage young makers to look for inspiration for further projects in things they see around them in their everyday environment.

   

3. Engage families. Invite families to participate in creative exploration with young makers.
4. Celebrate by making. Celebrate holidays or special occasions (such as birthdays) by making projects in the spirit of the occasion.
5. Make new connections. Combine ideas and techniques from different Start Making! sessions to make new creations, such as soft circuits that make music.
6. Reverse roles. Dedicate a day in which young makers take ownership in planning and leading creative hands-on activities for others.
7. Go outside for a maker adventure. Pack up your Open Make box and take it outside for a maker field trip or picnic; create projects based on what you see around you.
8. Seek inspiration at events. Connect makers to broader maker events—such as Maker Faires, science festivals, and art performances and exhibitions—where they can find new inspiration and ideas.