Academics

Makery Mindset

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Burke’s Makery classes are where students learn both digital and non-digital skills around design thinking, independent creative problem-solving, and critical thinking. There are two dedicated maker spaces on campus —  Makery Up and Makery Down. They are known collectively as the Makery and materials, projects, and ideas flow freely between them. 
The Makery is a magical space for the tinkering, brainstorming and experimentation that our students need as they take on the challenges of our modern world.  Each space provides student access to numerous supplies and technologies —from glue guns and cardboard to laser cutters and 3D printers. 
 
The spirit of the Makery is felt through all grade levels and subject areas, beyond its physical space. Our students — and their teachers — feel free to try out their ideas and make mistakes, collaborate and work together, and be as creative as they can be, no matter what they happen to be studying at the time.  Some guiding resources for our work are the Learning Dimensions of Making and Tinkering and ISTE standards.
 
Makery projects are often integrated with the work the students do in other classes, for additional relevance and resonance. Students can also drop into the Makery before school and during recess if they choose to work informally on individual projects or use the technology applications.
 
So while you can examine our curriculum strictly by grade level and subject area, that's not what we would recommend. Because at Burke's, there's no one set path from kindergarten through eighth grade. Students learn to be nimble and independent, and they graduate ready to take on whatever awaits them next.

What Materials Are Available to Students?

3-D printers, vinyl cutters, programmable embroidery machine, soldering irons, glue guns, recyclables, LED lights, Legos, programmable robots, building tools, modeling clay, fabric, motors, upcycled materials, wires and circuits and much more! 

Spotlight Projects

Makery Faculty

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of James Santosa

    James Santosa 

    LS Maker Facilitator & Technology Integration Specialist
    415.751.0187, ext. 326
  • Photo of Vanessa Miller

    Vanessa Miller 

    US Maker Facilitator & Technology Integration Specialist
    415.751.0187, ext. 316
Burke's mission is to educate, encourage and empower girls. Our school combines academic excellence with an appreciation for childhood so that students thrive as learners, develop a strong sense of self, contribute to community, and fulfill their potential, now and throughout life.
Burke's admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.