opinion

Mentorship Makes a Difference in Schools and Education

Mentorship Makes a Difference in Schools and Education

Julian Waters

By Julian Waters

Julian Waters

Julian Waters is currently a 17 year old senior at Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Virginia. A life-long Virginia native, Julian has attended public school in Albemarle County for his entire student career. For the past four years Julian has had a strong interest in the hobby of Model Airplanes and Drones, and has used his passion for flight to start a drone club at his high school and an aviation workshop at a nearby middle school. He has been involved with Albemarle County Public Schools for the past year in developing groundbreaking educational policy and promoting student voice and leadership, and hopes to continue his work in the future.

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Students pursuing education on their own terms need teachers and administrators willing to work with them and provide mentorship.

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Don’t Dismiss Tips or Techniques Because They’re Old Hat … to You

Don’t Dismiss Tips or Techniques Because They’re Old Hat … to You

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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Something that’s new to someone may be old hat to you, but why tarnish that moment of discovery for someone else with a dismissive comment.

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One Reason MIT Isn’t Getting Maker Portfolios from Women: It’s in the Comments

One Reason MIT Isn’t Getting Maker Portfolios from Women: It’s in the Comments

By Caleb Kraft

Caleb Kraft

I get ridiculously excited seeing people make things. I just want to revel in the creativity I see in makers. My favorite thing in the world is sharing a maker's story. find me at CalebKraft.com

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Internet culture plays a huge role in discouraging some female Makers from sharing their projects.

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What’s the Point of Making Something You Could Buy?

What’s the Point of Making Something You Could Buy?

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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Why we make the things we make and why making versus buying is far more than just a question of cost and time.

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Magical vs. Hackable

Magical vs. Hackable

Gregory Hill

By Gregory Hill

Gregory Hill

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I meet more and more folks in education that are contemplating swapping out laptops with complete operating systems like Linux, Max OSX, or Windows in favor of tablets (or most recently the advent of Chromebooks). I’m in favor of more complete systems because, while not being sufficient conditions for creating the next generations of inventors, engineers, and makers, it certainly is necessary to do so.

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