geniussquare – All Hallows' School Library

Term 2, 2025

Makerspace is a fun collaborative space. A place to make new friends, try new equipment, a place be creative and curious. Students can come to Makerspace before school and at lunchtime. Each week we have an activity where you can learn, or do your own creating and making.

Week 1 – ANZAC Poppies

We made felt poppy pins to wear for ANZAC day.

In Australia and other countries of the Commonwealth, red poppies are symbol of remembrance. The flower reminds us of those who lost their lives or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. It’s a tradition that began in the early 1900s, after World War I.

During World War I, red poppies were among the first plants to bloom across the wasted battlefields of northern France and Belgium.

The flower gave Canadian medic, Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, the inspiration for his poem, In Flanders Fields. McCrae wrote the poem while serving outside Ypres, Belgium, in 1915. McCrae’s poem recalls the red poppies on the graves of soldiers who died on the Western Front.

Week 2 – Origami Lotus

Creativity is blooming and our Makerspace students have been hands-on learning how to make beautiful origami lotus flowers! 🌸 This mindful activity encourages focus, patience, and fine motor skills—while also offering a calming break from the busy school day. It’s a great reminder that learning can be both fun and meditative, helping students build confidence, creativity, and resilience one fold at a time. 💫Students are also welcome to use equipment and resources in the Makerspace to work on their own projects – making a birthday card, drawing or tinkering.

Week 3 – Mother’s Day pop up cards

We made Mother’s Day cards that pop-open into a beautiful bouquet. This activity develops students’ scissor skills strengthening finger and hand muscles, building dexterity and fine motor skills, improving hand-eye coordination and developing focus and attention to detail. The cards were challenging and intricate, and the students rallied with perseverance and focus to achieve a great result.

Week 4 – Marble Run

Using cardboard, tape and tubes our student have been engineering Marble runs in Makerspace. With twists, turns, plenty of tape and team work our students have learned to protype, test, fail and improve to build some complex tracks developing our design thinking and collaboration skills.

Week 5 – RSPCA pet toys

This week we were upcycling household materials to make cat and dog toys for animals awaiting adoption at the RSPCA. Students and staff donated old jeans which were cut into strips and ‘box knotted’ together into strong chew toys for dogs. Using cardboard rolls the students made cute cat treat dispenser toys. We hope they make some ‘soon to be adopted’ cats and dogs very happy.

Week 7 – Scribble Bots

Makerspace students constructed robots using screwdrivers, wire strippers, a mini electric motor and felt pens. As the motor rotates, it vibrates, causing the pens attached to the motor to jiggle and circle across paper making patterns and scribbles. The students adjusted the legs and pen length on their robots to change direction and change the patterns. Lots of fun and lots of interesting patterns.

Week 8 – Dreamcatchers

Refining their macrame skills, student have moved on to a more challenging project. Combining, macrame, weaving and braiding – the students have created beautiful artistic dreamcatches.

A dreamcatcher is a special handmade object from some Native American and First Nations cultures. It is usually a willow hoop with a net or web woven inside. People often decorate it with feathers or beads.

Traditionally, dreamcatchers are hung above a baby’s cradle or bed. They are meant to offer protection. The idea comes from the Anishinaabe people. They called it “the spider web charm” or “dream snare.” It was a hoop with woven string, like a spider’s web, to protect babies.

Dreamcatchers became more widely known in the 1960s and 1970s. This was during a time when many Native American groups wanted to show their shared culture. (Source: Kiddle encyclopedia 8 June 2025 Dreamcatcher Facts for Kids)

Week 9 – Games and Puzzles

The students love doing puzzles and learning new games. We have an extensive collection of puzzles, board games, dice games and cards in the library for students to borrow and play. The students really enjoyed learning how to play Qwirkle, Genius Square and Mancala.