High School:
What does inquiry and makerspace look like at the secondary level?
Secondary school teachers may face more high stakes and/or standardized tests as well as pressure to meet intense curricular outcomes, compared to their middle and elementary school teacher counterparts. Some teachers may feel they have no time for inquiry learning in the classroom. However, inquiry learning, project based learning and makerspace theories do not have to be add-ons. These are ways of enriching the teaching and learning already happening in your classroom. Don't think of it as another thing to do, think of it as a new way to do it.
High Tech High
High Tech High operates in San Diego and consists of 13 schools in total. Their schools all "all embody the High Tech High design principles of personalization, adult world connection, common intellectual mission, and teacher as designer."
They offer indepth notes on their creative and interdisciplinary projects, found here.
5 Keys
Concerned an inquiry or project isn't rigourous enough? Watch this for tips on ensuring that it is.
Or, you can blow it all up into a MAKERSPACE
Rocky View Schools in Alberta has a program called Building Futures. It sees a group of grade 10 students build two houses, partnered with a homebuilder, from the ground up. Their classroom is a garage and a house in progress 4 days a week. All while gaining regular grade 10 credits and many more. This project could be called the ultimate makerspace.