Introduction to Maker-Centered Learning

Sensitivity to design develops when young people and adults have opportunities to look closely and reflect on the design of objects and systems, explore the complexity of design, and understand themselves as designers of their worlds. 

Project Zero's multi-year research initiative, Agency by Design, developed important ideas and tools for educators to use as they engage their students in learning that is "maker-centered." This kind of learning is useful in any classroom or learning context, across subjects and age groups, rather than solely for "maker spaces or art rooms." This learning supports student agency and helps to develop a sensitivity to design, complexity, and systems.
 

Overview

In this course, you will learn about the three core capacities necessary to facilitate and lead this kind of learning—looking closely, exploring complexity, and finding opportunity—and explore some of the PZ thinking routines that support the development of these capacities. Over the four weeks, you will engage in the following learning experiences:

• Consider how teaching that incorporates a sensitivity to design and the three core capacities of maker-centered learning can impact student learning across subjects and grade levels;
• Explore these three capacities—looking closely, exploring complexity, and finding opportunity—as well as some of the learning activities for classrooms or other learning settings that help students develop these capacities
• In your own learning context, try out some of the PZ thinking routines that support these core capacities, reflecting on how their integration into what you are already doing can enhance student learning
   

Who Should Participate

• Teachers, teacher leaders, and school administrators and leaders (pre-K through to adult learning)
• Museum educators and educators working in informal learning environments
• Instructional coaches and other facilitators of pre-K to adult learning
   

Time Commitment

Anticipate a workload of 2.5-3 hours per week for four weeks. The course provides 12 total hours of professional learning. During each session: 

• Team Meeting: This 1-hour live, synchronous team meeting happens every week, scheduled and facilitated by the team members with PZ-designed agenda. 
• Reading, Practice, and Assignments: Plan remaining time for reading and individual reflections/assignments. If you are not currently working in a school or educational organization, you will need a classroom context or a consistent group of students with whom you can try out/practice the ideas you are learning throughout the course.
   

Schedule

Each weekly session opens on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. Participants decide when to work on the course material and when to schedule their team meetings within each session.

• Session 1: October 26-November 1, 2026
• Session 2: November 2-November 8, 2026
• Session 3: November 9-November 15, 2026
• Session 4: November 16-November 22, 2026
   

Tuition, Discounts, and Financial Aid

For mini courses (four sessions, four weeks), the tuition is: 

• $355 for educators joining as part of a team (three to six members from the same organization) 
• $385 for educators joining as part of a team of two (from the same organization) who will be placed on a virtual team with other teams of two (as attendance allows) 
• $399 for educators joining as individuals to be placed on a virtual team

Financial aid is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and typically covers 50-70% of a course's tuition for eligible educators. Applications must be submitted and accepted prior to registration. Review our financial aid criteria.
 

Questions?

Visit the FAQs page for more information on PZ online courses, or email pzlearn@gse.harvard.edu.