Concordia has an impeccable reputation for teaching and learning, including the additional aspect and role of our STEM program.  CCAs are very popular for afterschool activities in which Concordia brings in experts in the field such as Mad Science for example.  Many teachers offer their unique skills in beneficial ways to extend the Makerspace program to after school hours. The opportunities are endless, and the level of satisfaction is quite high. Therefore, there have only been compliments and never been any concerns. Once our campus is reopened to parents with Makerspace Saturday the joy of making will be a welcomed weekly occurrence and something all students look forward to. It won't be long now!
​There is no greater integrity, no greater goal achieved, than an idea articulately expressed through something made with your hands. We call this constant dialogue between eye, mind, and hand "critical thinking - critical making." (Lynch, 2012)
 
​In How to implement a successful STEAM program, Matthew Lynch lays out a perfect overview for What are the Best Implementation Strategies for a Leadership in STEAM Initiative. This checklist from How to implement a Successful STEAM program  provides a framework that lays out some best practices to apply in a Makerspace environment.
Every school is unique with its own needs; however, there are some tried-and-true strategies that have traditionally worked for educators.’ (Lynch, 2018).

•Implement tools and programs that are accessible and gender neutral
•Implement tools that are cross-platform, reusable, and can be integrated with other materials. 
•Integrate STEAM and Coding with Other Core Subjects.
•Connect STEAM Projects with Community and Real-World Problems.
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                     (In other words, finding solutions to real-world problems)
​Here are few practical tips found in the same article to scale these innovative practices across the whole school, or even district:
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•Create a Culture Around STEAM and Making
•Provide Resources for Professional Development. 
•Maximize Collaboration Opportunities. 

‘When all is said and done, implementing a STEAM program can be a rewarding experience for both students and teachers. Not only will a strong foundation in STEAM topics better prepare students for the future of work, but it may be a rewarding tool for teachers to better facilitate exploration and creativity. (Lynch. 2018).