Makerspaces in STEAM Education: Designing Human-Centered STEAM Makerspaces for Applied Learning

Makerspaces are collaborative environments where individuals come together to share resources, knowledge, and tools for hands-on learning and creative endeavors. Equipped with advanced tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronic devices—often inaccessible for personal ownership due to cost or specialization—makerspaces play a crucial role in promoting innovation. This paper explores the development of human-centered makerspaces within the framework of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education. With a growing emphasis on fostering creativity and experiential learning in educational settings, makerspaces are emerging as essential platforms for collaboration and innovation. The study focuses on the challenges faced by Bangladesh’s community schools in delivering accessible and affordable STEAM education, particularly in resource-constrained regions. Using a human-centered design approach, the research proposes strategies for creating inclusive makerspaces that enhance students' creativity and critical thinking abilities. The findings emphasize the positive effects of makerspaces on student engagement and learning outcomes, providing actionable recommendations for educators and policymakers.

Luthfun Nesa Sonam
Asian University for Women
Chattogram, Bangladesh

Luthfun Nesa Sonam is a Master of Arts in Education student at the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chattogram, Bangladesh, where she also serves as a pre-undergraduate instructor. Her academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to equity in education, especially in the areas of STEM and educational technology.

Sonam will present her course project on an affordable, human-centered makerspace, developed through a design thinking approach. The project addresses the challenges of accessibility and innovation in STEM education, with a focus on marginalized and under-resourced communities.

Beyond her current roles, Sonam has served as a training facilitator and research assistant in AUW’s MA in Education program. She also interned with the Sajida Foundation as an education research intern, where she contributed to the planning and localization of Khan Academy Bangla for government secondary schools in Bangladesh. Her early teaching experience includes working at Chittagong Grammar School as an assistant teacher, which sparked her long-term interest in inclusive and transformative education.

Sonam is passionate about making STEM education and educational technology more affordable, accessible, and inclusive. She believes in the power of learner-centered environments and collaborative innovation to drive social change. Her work is rooted in the belief that education should not only inform but also empower.

Hanan Sayed
Asian University for Women
Chattogram, Bangladesh

Makerspaces in STEAM Education: Designing Human-Centered STEAM Makerspaces for Applied Learning

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