It won’t be a surprise then that some schools will be more successful than others. I think what is crucial is how these advocates anticipate and address challenges that arise- which requires having the foresight to see what may go awry. An extreme example- what would happen if kids want to use 3D printers to create weapons? Other less extreme issues include how to appeal to individualized interests and have the resources to accommodate them all.

The implementation of the Maker Movement needs to be carefully calculated; I imagine that the initial experience may need to be “watered down” to gently introduce the concept of empowerment and innovation in converting an abstract idea to a concrete product. Over time, the experience would gradually become richer and richer with incremental positive feedback along the way. If we were to throw this big successful idea at an under-prepared school, it would fail, and hence hurt future attempts to reintroduce the program.