Introduction: Portable Makerspace Supply Cart

By
About: I am an educator specializing in technology and maker-centered learning. Work with teachers, schools, and students to think, make, and improve.

A robust Makerspace will enhance maker-centered, hands-on, design-thinking learning for students of all ages, but if space or money is an issue, think about creating a portable makerspace supply cart. This makerspace cart is made from materials that are easily available. It is designed to be portable but stable so you can move it from place to place without having things falling out. It is also modular so you can organize materials of different sizes. Lastly, it's designed to be visible so students can use recognition and not recall to return supplies to the right place.

Step 1: Materials

You will need the following materials:

- A utility cart

- 4 one inch, three-ring binders

- 8 large binder clips

- various small binder clips

- plastic cups

- 12 cardboard tubes (each 3.5 inch diameter x 6 inches high)

- 4 cardboard boxes (18 x 13 x 12)

- Various sized paper bags

- desired makerspace and building materials

Step 2: Create Support for Boxes With Cardboard Tubes, Binder Clips.

Clip together the three tubes using two large binder clips. The holes of the tubes will be where the binder rings of the binder fit.

Repeat until you have four sets of bound cardboard tubes, two for the top shelve and two for the bottom shelve.

Step 3: Add Binders

Place the binders with the rings into the each hole. They should rest like the picture above.

Step 4: Place Cardboard Boxes

Adjust the binder so that they can fit the cardboard boxes. Add the boxes on top so that they sit on top of the binder and use the binder as support structures. As weight is added to the cardboard boxes, the weight will shift inwards and can be easily transported without fear of the boxes falling over the edge of the cart.

Step 5: Organize the Cardboard Boxes

Using paper bags and binder clips, create compartments so that different supplies can be organized and grouped together. Do this for every box.

Step 6: Add Plastic Cup Holders to Cardboard Boxes on the Top Shelve.

Using binder clips attached plastic cups as extra holders of materials. These holders are good for small items such as rubber bands, sticks, straws, etc.

Step 7: Place Lengthy Materials on the Bottom Shelve

Use the space between the boxes on the bottom shelve to rest large or lengthy items such as wooden dowels and tubings.

Step 8: Fill in Compartments With Supplies for Making.

Go wild, fill in compartments with supplies that can be reused, repurposed, and reimagined. Paint your cart. Make it yours.