I know MANY MANY MANY of you already do this - and go far and beyond but I just wanted to throw this up as a general concept. In no way is it mandatory.
Spent some time at the space yesterday generally just going around and tidying up and checking on things/dropping off some smaller items (where in the world do all the scissors go). Took out about four loads of trash (made some guys on a tour take some too) from the creative arts room alone and a few arm loads to the lost and found. Not a huge deal just small things.
Buttttttttt (in your brain read this with my teacher voice) As a general note I just want to encourage everyone to try to get into the behavior and mindset of putting in 15 minutes somewhere somehow to better Makerspace as a whole when you go up to makerspace- not only cleaning up your mess but doing something to better everyone’s experience. It can be doing anything that you see needs to get done - as a collective it all works better if everyone owns a bit of responsibility to the space and works together. Communal activity is best when…communal. I assure you that if you put in some time you will feel a deeper connection to the use of this space.
Creative Arts has a list of monthly responsibilities posted on the wall if you are itching for a small task (it currently says June - please forgive) Honey-do lists are great as we have many sweet people willing to do anything here. (end teacher voice)
PS whoever the saint is that exorcised (aka remodeled) the janitors’ closet - you have seriously earned some DMS warrior stripes in by book. Seriously- someone built shelves, killed some serious smell demons, and put down vinyl flooring.
If anyone has any ideas on how, and can help me I would like to clean up/organize/improve the Interactive Classroom a bit. I will gladly volunteer my labor.
Partially selfish motive as I will be using it Thursday night.
I’ve started pointing out Nicole’s honey do list in my tours of the space. I also teach my tour groups how to clean the dust filter in the wood shop while doing my tour.
[quote=“Patrick, post:14, topic:10931”]
Like I said, I am happy to do the labor, but the side of my brain that is required for figuring out what to do with that room, does not work.[/quote]
After a wildly successful front brake job on my vehicle (took about an hour, no major drama - thanks Allen and @lukeiamyourfather) I swept up the auto bay.
I’ve never seen the Interactive room in the same condition twice. Chairs and tables are always all over the place in random condition and the storage cubby is chock full of seemingly unused stuff.
The interactive room kinda drives me crazy because it’s usually kinda crazy - but it needs to be - because it suits so many purposes.
What would be my plan of attack:
Inventory and find purpose
Purge what doesn’t fit
The room is getting a bit “thanksgiving dinner” stacked with stuff that probably needs to get trimmed.
Ask yourself how many chairs would we ever need- I believe we could easily purge ourselves of good amount.
Storage behind the shelf system needs to be addressed and looked at. What is actually behind it? Can it be better used space?
How many rolling white boards do we need? Are they being used. Would it be better to mount a few in a couple of places and keep just possibly 1-2 rolling options.
Shelf stuff - what is it and why is it in the room. If we unify a organizational system on the shelves it will make things cleaner. I would suggest clear tubs. I think a large amount of random things piled makes the room look trashy and put in a tub it will instantly clean up the space. That is - if it’s needed.
Can a storage system be created to mount the tables so they have a fixed place?
Probably just a few things need to be purged before that room begins to have renewed spirit. I’m willing to help. Will be back in town Sunday. Probably at the space Wednesday or so.
I think a big improvement would be disguising the shelves somehow. Curtains? Cabinet doors(maybe use the rolling whiteboards?) Flipping the cabinets around all together so they face the space behind them instead of the room? Redoing that whole hidden space behind them to be more functional and organized?
Uh, isn’t the Interactive Classroom the domain of the Classroom Committee? How would Creative Arts feel if, say, Automotive came in and gave the studio a facelift?
