Team members need these connections laid out. When the intersections of purpose and work become clear, team members are more likely to feel energized, motivated, and valued.

The most important resource for a team is time -- time for the facilitator to prepare as well as time for teams to collaborate. Teams must meet consistently and focus their time on what matters: implementing a work plan, learning together, and building strong relationships with each other.

A team's potential for greatness depends on many factors, including the emotional intelligence of team members and the organizational conditions in the school or district that houses the team.

The most effective schools and organizations have a mission and vision that motivates, unifies, and guides all stakeholders in their day-to-day operations. Short- and long-term goals for the school align to the mission and vision and are regularly reflected on.

What makes it an academic makerspace rather than an adult space, Jarowski said, is that it motivates children to discover new skills and knowledge.

Involve students in every step of the planning,"

You must make decisions about its scope.

Safety is important, too, so you must also budget for goggles, gloves, aprons, lab coats and a fire extinguisher.

Part of planning will be deciding which tools to support.

"Also, an area to display student projects is important," he said. It helps the students develop a sense of pride.

Setup: Jarowski said many people ask if a makerspace is a classroom or a workshop. His answer is that it should be both, or a synthesis of the two. But he said several considerations should go into the physical setup. You should have both high-tech and low-tech areas, and clean and messy areas, with separate workstations for different types of activities. Don't carpet the space because carpet is hard to clean, he said. Make sure you include whiteboards so students can work on problems together.

It is important to showcase student projects, prototypes and designs, he said. Keep cameras around to document their efforts and include them in the social media and blog of the school.