he Importance of the Role of the Maker Space: an introduction to the concept of mētis
What started as an award I received in 6th grade for the best “Shop” project, I have come to understand how important this has been to my career as an educational technologist. “Shop” for me was a place to be curious, make mistakes, and to create something meaningful with my hands and mind. Collaboration incarnate. That it happened on an island in Maine where I attended camp for 8 weeks in the summer with no electricity or running water (The Pine Island Camp, makes it even more relevant (and also explains my love of the outdoors).
Last summer I read a book by David Brooks called “BoBos in Paradise.” In this book he mentions the work of an author James C. Scott about mētis. So, I emailed Mr. Scott (He is a tenured professor at Yale) and the next day he replied to me with details about what chapter to read in his book “Seeing Like a State.” From that book, he references a 1974 tome called “Cunning Intelligence in Greek Culture” published in 1974. Out of print and sought after, it cost me 350$ to purchase – but well worth it. Mētis and Maker Space pedagogy are now linked. It’s been great having the time to explore these ideas – that’s what my sabbatical has been for as I reflect on 20 years of work. Let me be extremely clear – our youth are spending too much time on screens and need more collaborative experiences to prepare them for what is to come.
According to Scott (p.313) “Metis is typically translated into English as “cunning” or “cunning intelligence.” “Mētis a wide variety of practical skills and acquired intelligence in responding to a constantly changing natural and human environment.” Scott delves into recounting the tales of Odysseus. “Odysseus’s availability to adapt successfully to a constantly shifting situation and his capacity to understand, and hence outwit, his human and divine adversaries.”
Here are some recent images from my Maker Space (Which I called The Lab).
From a recent article in the Chestertown Spy
“But that’s how you learn life skills of cooperation and understanding the perspectives of others. And if you’re in a group, you’ll have to figure out a way to work together, even if that seems difficult at the time.” Annie Hasselgren, Director of Admissions, The Country School
According to Campbell University, the word, simply defined, is “a place where students –sometimes alongside staff, parents, and mentors — can create, problem solve, and develop skills, talents, thinking, and mental rigor.” Annie Hasselgren, Director of Admissions, The Country School