STEAM Makers
Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom
- Jacie Maslyk - Crafton Elementary School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Empower creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in your classroom!
As STEAM and Making become essential components of fostering student readiness for career, college, and beyond, this new edition of STEAM Makers offers innovative ways to integrate creativity, technology, and hands-on problem-solving into daily practice.
With a renewed focus on emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, and a global perspective, STEAM Makers provides educators with fresh approaches to cultivating students’ curiosity, innovation, and discovery skills. Readers will gain actionable strategies, from designing student-centered makerspaces to connecting with local and global partners, and learn from inspiring success stories from classrooms worldwide. This updated resource includes:
- Case studies, vignettes, and photographs of projects
- Practical and ready-to-use activities and STEAM Maker Starters
- Integration of emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to foster 21st-century skills
- An expanded focus on ensuring equitable and inclusive opportunities for all
With STEAM Makers, educators will gain the tools to inspire meaningful learning experiences that drive curiosity, creativity, and engagement. By fostering a mindset of exploration and design, educators can empower their students to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
"In the new edition of STEAM Makers, Maslyk shows us how we can bring in curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, self-directed learning, and a failure mindset into our classrooms and schools while addressing curriculum standards and literacy skills. The book provides everything you need to get started or level up your existing STEAM practices. As a former teacher-librarian, I also really appreciated the comprehensive ideas around children's books, which can be used to set the stage for projects, and also how libraries can support teachers on their journey. STEAM Makers centers student choice and voice with the educator as amplifier and facilitator and lists ideas for community involvement, all of which are necessary in a world where information can be accessed so easily. This book is a must-read!"
"The insightful brilliance of Jacie Maslyk returns in an inspiring, updated edition of STEAM Makers. Just as STEAM evolves and sparks continuous growth, Jacie expands her vision, serving as both mentor and motivator for educators seeking innovative ways to ignite learning. Far beyond a how-to manual, this book vibrantly pulses with actionable ideas and heartfelt wisdom, encouraging a culture of creativity, collaboration, and curiosity. As a principal and educator, I found myself continually inspired, nodding along to Jacie’s passionate, crackling prose. Truly, this new edition is an essential anthem for anyone eager to amplify innovation in the schoolhouse through the powerful lens of STEAM."
"In the second edition of STEAM Makers, Dr. Jacie Maslyk uplifts the power of creativity, innovation, and authentic learning experiences for each of our students. This resource amplifies what’s possible when we foster curiosity, student agency, and real-world problem-solving. Jacie’s work is a true celebration of community-driven, transformative education—and a must-have for educators who believe in empowering learners to lead the future."
“STEAM Makers is more than a book—it’s a blueprint for reimagining learning. It empowers teachers, librarians, and school leaders to design inclusive spaces where creativity thrives and student voice leads the way. Whether you're launching a makerspace, designing hands-on PD, or connecting curriculum to global goals, this guide offers practical tools and powerful inspiration. It helps cultivate the kind of curiosity and innovation today’s students need to become tomorrow’s changemakers!”
"This is a great book for any educator looking to add more STEM to their classroom. It's filled with quick ideas and guiding principles, and the included profiles of STEAM leaders are terrific examples of what to aspire to as a STEAM Maker."