Maker Space
Spirit of Texas Middle School Program
The Great Greene Heist
Passive Program
This program is designed to:
In Varian Johnson’s The Great Greene Heist, school clubs play a key role throughout the story. The
characters are pushed by their need to save their clubs from the corrupted principal and Keith
Sinclair, the boy who wants to buy the School Council Presidency. In this activity, teens will be
participating in a Maker Space where they can experiment with diverse activities and try new
things. Each activity is meant to represent a different club.
Length of Program:
The program is designed to be patron self-sufficient so the length depends on how long you would
like to leave the station available.
Preparation:
Materials:
Materials vary by the activities you decide to include in your Maker Space.
Resources:
Here are few ideas on activities you can include in your Maker Space.
Duct Tape projects: There are a variety of things that can be made from duct tape.
It only takes a little imagination. A few ideas are: jewelry, wallets, purses, flowers, book
covers, etc. Check out the following sites for more ideas.
http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-living/channel-duct-tape/
http://www.101ducttapecrafts.com/
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/02/45-creative-duct-tape-crafts-projects-saturday-inspirationideas.html
Tape It & Make It: 101 Duct Tape Activities by Richela Fabian Morgan
Black Out Poetry: Using weeded books from the library, the students can create black out
poetry. You should have a basket of pages from weeded books, a basket of black acrylic
paint, and paint brushes. You could also use markers instead of paint. Place example
poems up for students to read and let them begin to create.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esFPpHu42LY
Newspaper Blackout by Austin Kleon
Origami: Provide students with origami paper and a how to book from the library.
The Complete Book of Origami: Step-by-Step Instructions in Over 1000 Diagrams by Robert
J. Lang
Button making: You can purchase small kits. Once you have purchased a few kits,
you only need to add more material. The patrons will reuse the button making device.
Kits under $20
http://www.yellowbirdproject.com/products/indie-rock-button-factory
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sukie-button?store=allproducts&keyword=sukie+button
Decoupage: Using an object the patrons provide, patrons can decorate it by gluing colored
paper or magazine/newspaper cut-outs to the object. All you need is paper, old
newspapers or magazines, elmer’s glue and paint brushes. You can add a varnish at the
end but it is not necessary. Here are a few how-to sites.
http://craftystaci.com/2010/04/02/elmers-glue-decoupage/
http://www.wikihow.com/Decoupage
The Decoupage Book: More than 60 Decorative Projects Using Simple Techniques by Holly
Boswell
Tech: Using the library computers, patrons can learn how to code or create a video game.
These cites have videos that show the patrons how to get started and are built to help them
step-by-step. All you have to do is save the links on the computers.
http://studio.code.org/
https://gamestarmechanic.com/
https://scratch.mit.edu/
Super Scratch Programming Adventure!: Learn to Program by Making Cool Games by The
LEAD Project
Arts: Have a table with different kinds of materials for patrons to use their creativity to just
create. Some materials could be: yarn, paper, scissors, glue, buttons, markers, ribbon,
plastic string, etc. The list is up to you. You could also put out books for tangle art, crochet,
friendship bracelets, card making, etc.
PDF printable instructions
Zentangle instructions:
http://www.fineskids.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/zentangle_ideas.pdf
Friendship bracelet instructions:
http://friendship-bracelets.net/pdf/patterns/striped.pdf
Design Originals, Joy of Zentangle by Marie Browning CZT, Suzanne McNeill CZT and Sandy
Bartholomew
Friendship Bracelets 101: Fun to Make, Fun to Wear, Fun to Share (Can Do Crafts) by
Suzanne McNeill
Make a Card Awesome! A Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Card Making Techniques (Green
Crafts Book 7) by Mahe Zehra Husain
Games: Set up an area for patrons to play games like chess, checkers, chinese checkers, etc.
Chess Tactics for Students by John A. Bain
Science: Here are few experiments you could use but it might be a little messy. If you have
an area that can be easily cleaned, these are some great quick experiments.
Styrofoam and fingernail polish remover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh1hsacwmKo
Ferro fluid and magnets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsQh1AT6qUE
Turn Milk into a Stone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFvik_THcNQ
Preparation:
1. Before the program begins, you should become familiar with the activities you would like
to incorporate. You could also have teen volunteers become familiar with the activities so
they can answer questions as needed.
2. Gather all of the materials necessary for the activities you will be setting up.
3. Set up tables for the different activities and place all supplies on the tables as well as
books and any printed instructions.
Books to Share:
1. Non-fiction informational books are great reference materials. Here are a few to get you
started.
Tape It & Make It: 101 Duct Tape Activities by Richela Fabian Morgan
Newspaper Blackout by Austin Kleon
The Complete Book of Origami: Step-by-Step Instructions in Over 1000 Diagrams by
Robert J. Lang
The Decoupage Book: More than 60 Decorative Projects Using Simple Techniques by
Holly Boswell
Super Scratch Programming Adventure!: Learn to Program by Making Cool Games by The
LEAD Project
Design Originals, Joy of Zentangle by Marie Browning CZT, Suzanne McNeill CZT and
Sandy Bartholomew
Friendship Bracelets 101: Fun to Make, Fun to Wear, Fun to Share (Can Do Crafts) by
Suzanne McNeill
Make a Card Awesome! A Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Card Making Techniques (Green
Crafts Book 7) by Mahe Zehra Husain
Chess Tactics for Students by John A. Bain
2. (Read-a-likes) If you like The Great Greene Heist, then try these great fiction titles.
The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage
Circa Now by Amber McRee Turner
Serafina’s Promise by Ann E. Burg
The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer
Dash by Kirby Larson
Bulletin Board:
In The Great Greene Heist, every member of Jackson’s team had a specific talent that helped the
group accomplish their goal. The maker space is a place where patrons can find their talent. The
bulletin board could have the title of the book at the top and in the center state in large letters
“What is Your Talent?” Then post pictures of the different types of activities you are using around
the wording.