Makerspaces in the early years: Enhancing digital literacy and creativity

About the project

Makerspaces in the early years: Enhancing digital literacy and creativity’ (MakEY) is a 30 month project funded by the EU H2020 Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) programme. The project, led by Professor Jackie Marsh at the University of Sheffield, UK, will run from January 2017 – June 2019.

The primary aims of this collaborative project are to:

(i) further research and innovation in the area of young children’s digital literacy and creative design skills in order to contribute to Europe’s future competitiveness and growth;

(ii) develop project participants’ skills in research and knowledge creation and thus increase research capacity and enhance career prospects;

(iii) develop a network of researchers, creative industry professionals and educators who can collaborate to develop educational materials and tools to foster children’s digital literacy and design skills and

(iv) offer recommendations for research, policy and practice (in industry and education) about the way in which makerspaces for 3-8 year-olds can be developed in both non-formal and formal learning spaces in order that young children can develop the skills and knowledge required for the digital age.

A key aim of the project, therefore, is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the makerspace sector, enabling SMEs in this area to develop robust business models and appropriate resources for engaging in work with children in liaison with both non-formal and formal institutions.

Members from the University of Akureyri:

  • Margrét Elísabet Ólafsdóttir
  • Kristín Dýrfjörð
  • Anna Elísa Hreiðarsdóttir

Collaborators

Academics in 7 EU countries – Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Romania, UK – working alongside professionals in makerspaces: FabLab, Berlin;  Innoent, Iceland; Makers, Sheffield UK and Hatch Atelier, Romania, in addition to teachers from Katrinebjerg School, Denmark, librarians from DOKK1 Library in Denmark and museum educators from San Francisco, USA. In addition, a number of international partners are involved in the project including, Brock University, Canada; Indiana University, USA; Memorial University, Canada; Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Colombia; University of Cape Town, South Africa, and Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.