This book shares the story of an eighth-grade English teacher and a science teacher's explorations of the intersections between critical literacy and science through maker spaces alongside their students. They use the idea of make to center student learning in their classrooms as well as to democratize learning, back-loading English and science standards while front-loading the current focus on STEAM. Making-following one's own desire to create-is based on principles of connected learning, where students work in community to challenge themselves, to be creative, and to wonder about their world. Making represents a pathway directed by the learner and allowed to unfold organically, without a scripted route or destination. By looking up close at the real work of teachers and students, the authors illustrate the rich and real applications of a make-based approach in today's middle school classrooms.