Makerspaces
Inclusive learning spaces for the creative exploration of ideas
Makerspaces are learning spaces that foster creativity, tangible knowledge production, communal knowledge sharing, openness, and experimentation. While they have “traditionally” (from their brief two decade-ish history) been associated with digital fabrication tools like 3D printers and the products that utilize them, the radical ideas that grow and sustain makerspaces are not bound to any tool nor product. You do not need to understand nor use any particular tool to participate in a makerspace.
A makerspace is an ongoing community project that grows according to member needs and desires, built upon the foundational ideals of inclusion, openness, freedom of expression, and freedom of experimentation. Unlike classrooms or labs—modular learning spaces that necessarily become blank slates with every new use, makerspaces hold the tangible memories of their users over time. To participate in a makerspace is to participate in its ongoing co-creation.
Makerspaces are difficult to define by design; they hold space for us to question our definitions. They encourage curiosity, joy, hands-on active learning, iteration, play, lateral thinking, reflection on the malleability and materiality of ideas, reflection on emotion and aesthetics, reflection on the material world and the material body, reflection on technology, and reflection on motivation. They exist in an “in-between” space at the intersection of art studios, computer labs, design studios, classrooms, science labs, hangout spaces, workshops, and performance spaces. Each makerspace does not have a clear definition so much as it has the tendencies of its communities. They resist the common ways we divide disciplines, schools, students, and ourselves. They encourage us to imagine ourselves and our students, at least temporarily, as polymaths: potentially competent at writing prose and writing code, critical reasoning and spatial reasoning, community relationship building and 3D model building.
We therefore invite all faculty, students, and staff who might want to participate in our makerspaces to reach out and start a conversation with us. You do not need to have any idea of how you, your class, nor your project might use a makerspace; you only need curiosity. We can help with the rest.
All are welcome
We consider our spaces as "zero barrier to entry" spaces, which means we welcome all and celebrate complete novices. We strongly encourage faculty and students who are curious about makerspaces but, for whatever reason, have trouble imagining themselves in a maker community, to come and explore our spaces.
We currently manage two makerspaces on grounds: the Maker Open Studio (MOS) in Wilson 141 and the Maker Open Lab (MOL) in Chem 202. We are also part of the Maker Grounds community and serve as an entry point for students who want to become involved in makerspaces, shops, and studios across grounds.
The Maker Open Studio (MOS)
Wilson Hall 141
A space for critical and creative experimentation with a focus on Arts & Humanities.
The Maker Open Lab (MOL)
Chemistry 202
A learning space for creative engagement with STEM.
Safety in a Maker Space
Solder Fumes
Our spaces use only lead-free solder. We have fume extractors, which we strongly encourage our makers to use. When the fume extractors are on and positioned properly above the soldering area, the measured concentration of PNOC (Particles Not Otherwise Classified) maxes out at 0.1 mg/M^3 with an average of 0.033. This is well below the established safe limit of 3.0 mg/M^3. Read the report and see the data here.
