UMW’s Makerspace Mindset Conference Empowers Educators to Fuel the Future of Learning

For University of Mary Washington junior Jamie Sherman, a sign on the Seacobeck Hall Makerspace door says it all.

“It reminds students to make mistakes and think about things before trying again,” said the historic preservation major who is also minoring in education studies.

That philosophy underpins the University of Mary Washington’s Maker Mindset Conference, which highlights the importance of project-based, trial-and-error-style learning that ties STEM-related lessons together with collaboration and critical thinking. Packed with breakout sessions on everything from 3D printing to marketing principles, the conference gives current and future educators the tools they need to spark innovation, agency and purpose in K-12 classrooms and prepare students to thrive in today’s unpredictable world.

The fourth annual event – themed “Beyond the Build: Empowering Creative Problem Solvers” – is set to take place Saturday, Feb. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Academy of Innovation and Technology at UMW (ATI-UMW). The deadline to register is Wednesday, Feb. 4.

“The idea was to offer an affordable professional learning opportunity for educators in our area,” said College of Education Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships Kristina Peck, who launched the event in 2023 with Assistant Professor of Education Danielle Ott. “So many conferences are so expensive that many teachers are unable to take advantage of them.”

Its competitive price tag ($40 through Feb. 4), with an extra discount available to UMW students, and its lineup of workshops and presentations make the conference attractive for soon-to-be educators like Sherman, who hopes to teach high school history and geography in the Fredericksburg region.

The fourth annual Maker Mindset Conference at UMW offers 18 breakout sessions to meet educators’ needs. Photo by Conner Rogers.

UMW College of Education Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships Kristina Peck launched the event in 2023 with Assistant Professor of Education Danielle Ott. Photo by Conner Rogers.

The Kids Talk portion of the University of Mary Washington’s Maker Mindset Conference features projects presented by K-12 students. Photo by Conner Rogers.

“The most important thing to remember … is that failure is just another marker for growth,” said Sherman, who completed Peck’s Makerspace and Maker Mindset course, which mirrors the concepts to be explored Saturday. “The conference brings so many educational disciplines together to urge students and non-students to try new things, stay questioning and always keep learning.”

John Spencer, a university professor, former middle school teacher and best-selling author who’s spoken at the White House about future-ready learning in a rapidly changing world, will deliver the keynote address on strategies for fostering deep thinking and communication in the classroom. Local K-12 students – including a group from ATI-UMW’s MakerSpace101 elective and robotics club – will present projects designed to give conference participants an idea of what excites them to learn.

But 18 breakout sessions – panel discussions, workshops, traditional presentations and facilitated discussions led by educators, including UMW and ATI-UMW faculty – are at the heart of the program.

Participants can explore topics like the “maker mindset,” 3D design and the decision-making process of young learners. A session called Fail-a-bration aims to reveal how failures can be transformed into sources of learning and deeper connection.

At the University of Mary Washington’s Maker Mindset Conference, participants can explore topics like the “maker mindset,” 3D design and the decision-making process of young learners. Photo by Conner Rogers.

The Maker Mindset Conference at the University of Mary Washington features a keynote speaker, presentations by students and myriad breakout sessions. Photo by Conner Rogers.

Breakout sessions at the University of Mary Washington’s Maker Mindset Conference highlight everything from 3D printing to marketing principles. Photo by Conner Rogers.

The fourth annual Maker Mindset Conference at the University of Mary Washington is themed ‘Beyond the Build: Empowering Creative Problem Solvers.’ Photo by Conner Rogers.

UMW Professor of Communication and Center for AI and the Liberal Arts Director Anand Rao will lead a workshop titled Vibe-Coding with AI, exploring an artificial intelligence-powered no-code approach to designing creative solutions to social and market challenges. Conference-goers can learn more about the new Instructional Technology Resource Teachers (ITRT) Hub, delve into the need for solar energy, learn about marketing through the process of soap-making and much more.

“We are excited to build on the partnership with Mary Washington’s College of Education as we host this event for the first time,” said ATI-UMW Director Rebecca Towery. “The Maker Mindset conference aligns with ATI’s focus on Project Based Learning experiences, as well as our partnership with the College of Education to develop a ‘teaching hospital’ for future and current educators.”

Friends of the conference include Donna Sheehan Gladis ’68 and Steve Gladis, the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, SimVentions, and UMW’s Departments of Biological Sciences, and Chemistry and Physics. Sponsors include Amazon, the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Go Virginia Region Six and the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative.

“When educators across our region come together to share, make and learn,” Peck said, “students everywhere benefit.”

Learn more or register by visiting the Maker Mindset Conference website.