Makerspaces in the early years:
Enhancing digital literacy and creativity (MakEY)

This project, which ran from 2017-2019, explored the place of the rising ‘maker’ culture in the development of children’s digital literacy and creative design skills.

Research projects were undertaken in seven EU countries (Denmark, Germany, Finland, Iceland, Norway Romania, UK) and the USA in which staff working in makerspaces (including Fab Labs) collaborated with academics to identify the benefits and challenges of running makerspace workshops in both formal (nurseries and schools) and informal (museums and libraries) educational settings.

The research team worked in partnership with academics in Australia, Canada, Colombia, South Africa and the USA, creating a global network of scholars who worked together to further understanding of the role of makerspaces in developing young children’s digital literacy and creativity.