<div>
== Background ==

[[File:Nathan UIF Profile.JPG|thumb|Nathan UIF Profile.JPG]]
<div>'''[[Nathan LaWarre|Nathan LaWarre]] '''is a University Innovation Fellow and an undergrad at '''[[Western Michigan University|Western Michigan University]]'''. He is majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in environmental studies and sustainability. He has many interests including but not limited to experimenting with his Arduino, tackling difficult problems, and working with solar panels.  He helped create and is now on the leadership board of The Innovation Club at his school.</div><div>Here is the success story of how his Innovation Club managed to establish a Makerspace at his campus free of charge for students, from forming a team of few Engineering students, finding a space, and raising the funds.</div><div><br/></div><div> </div>
== Introduction ==
<div>This article will discuss the fundamentals of how to develop a Makerspace that is completely free for students, inspired by the success experienced by Nathan Lawarre at Western Michigan University, whose Makerspace was the first of its kind at his University.  Then, this article will discuss some the challenges and strategies to overcome them, so that you can effectively influence your campus.</div><div><br/></div><div> </div>
== Need and Goal ==
<div>The need to have a Makerspace is often driven by a the desire to create an innovative and entrepreneurial culture.  Makerspaces foster creative problem solving, encourage engagement, and promote an agile entrepreneurial mindset.  They offer the opportunity for hands-on learning with topics students are interested in.  This opens the door for cultivating passion and inspiring truly innovative solutions.  Cost can be a limiting factor for many students.  Through making the Makerspace on your campus free to students, the space becomes more accessible to a wider range of students, which improves the community and the ideas created there.</div><div><br/></div>
*Encourage innovation among students
*Enhance thinking ability
*Transform student ideas into products
*Generate startups at school level
*Promote hands-on learning
*Support creative problem solving
*Engage students within the program
*Support and implement innovation

== How to get it started? ==

=== ''Politics/Culture'' ===
<div>One of the most important aspects of creating a Makerspace, or implementing any new idea on your campus, is being aware of the culture and different politics that could impact what you are developing.  As each campus is different, the politics and culture of your campus will shape how you approach and tackle any given problem.  </div><div>The best way to use these to your advantage is to do research about both what is going on around your campus and about the people who are integrally involved in the projects and departments who can help you.  This way, when you are asking for help from people around your university, you can tailor your pitch to touch on things you know they are interested and invested in.  The context in which you pitch your idea for the free Makerspace and how you frame it has a significant impact on how your audience perceives and reacts to it.</div><div><br/></div>
=== ''The Pitch'' ===
<div>The pitch is a critical part in the process of making a free Makerspace.  As was discussed above, it is critical to understand who your audience is and how to best convey the value that the Makerspace will provide to students.  </div><div>When designing the pitch, consider what data will be most compelling.  Not only does it provide the audience something to hold onto, it impresses on them that work has been put into this proposal.  Data points that may be useful include: usage of existing labs on campus, interest in the project, number of people actively working towards this goal, amount of money needed, and what has already been done to reach this goal.</div><div>Additionally, it is paramount to pitch to the “right” people.  In this case, the “right” person is going to be anyone you can talk to, as the best allies and partnerships can result from seemingly unimportant conversations.</div><div><br/></div>
=== ''Funding'' ===
<div>Although the Makerspace you are creating is free to students, running the Makerspace costs money.  Ensuring that the space is available and that there are materials and equipment for students to use not only requires a large amount of work but also requires monetary support.  In order to keep the space free for students, you need to be persistent in looking for funding.  Some good places to start are: club funding, local sponsors, and donations.  </div><div>It pays to be creative to when attracting both sponsors and donations.  For example, the Makerspace developed at Western Michigan University uses an incentivized tiered donation system where the sponsors get a different size of sticker for donations within the tiers they developed.  These stickers decorate the walls of the Makerspace while promoting the businesses.</div><div><br/></div>
=== ''Promotion'' ===
<div>To get students to come to your Makerspace, you must develop a marketing campaign. The goal of this campaign should be to get students as interested in and excited about your space as possible. Creating branded posters and business cards for your Makerspace is a great start. Place your posters all around campus, making sure you have permission to do so. Try to place posters in every college, school, and building within your university to maximize the amount of students you reach with your marketing and to ensure students from all majors and disciplines know about and feel welcome to use your Makerspace. Holding events at your Makerspace where there is free food involved is a great way to get people through the door. College students love free food! </div><div><br/></div>
*Understand your campus culture
*Ask, and be persistent!
*Ensure rapid prototyping tools are available
*Publicize your Makerspace to a diverse audience
*Fundraise and consider offering rewards

 

== Take-aways ==
<div>While Makerspaces can be difficult to start and even harder to offer free of cost to students, the benefits are well worth the struggle.  Makerspaces offer students a place for hands-on learning in an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.  The first attempt likely won’t be perfect.  As Nathan informed our team in the interview, there is always room to iterate.Hopefully, with this Wiki article, this process is a bit less daunting.</div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div>
----
</div><div>''Written by [[Lisa Feiden|Lisa Feiden]], Mackenzie Kinzel, [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Uday_Sai_Tyada Uday Sai Tyada], [[Abigail Graese|Abigail Graese]], [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Nagamani_ravula Nagamani Ravula], Maxwell Newberry''</div></div>
 

[[Category:Guides]]

Resource:How to Make Your Makerspace 100% Free of Charge for Students

2017-09-09T02:49:13Z

Lfeiden:

<div>
== Background ==

[[File:Nathan UIF Profile.JPG|thumb]]
<div>'''[[Nathan LaWarre|Nathan LaWarre]] '''is a University Innovation Fellow and an undergrad at '''[[Western Michigan University|Western Michigan University]]'''. He is majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in environmental studies and sustainability. He has many interests including but not limited to experimenting with his Arduino, tackling difficult problems, and working with solar panels.  He helped create and is now on the leadership board of The Innovation Club at his school.</div><div>Here is the success story of how his Innovation Club managed to establish a Makerspace at his campus free of charge for students, from forming a team of few Engineering students, finding a space, and raising the funds.</div><div><br/></div><div> </div>
== Introduction ==
<div>This article will discuss the fundamentals of how to develop a Makerspace that is completely free for students, inspired by the success experienced by Nathan Lawarre at Western Michigan University, whose Makerspace was the first of its kind at his University.  Then, this article will discuss some the challenges and strategies to overcome them, so that you can effectively influence your campus.</div><div><br/></div><div> </div>
== Need and Goal ==
<div>The need to have a Makerspace is often driven by a the desire to create an innovative and entrepreneurial culture.  Makerspaces foster creative problem solving, encourage engagement, and promote an agile entrepreneurial mindset.  They offer the opportunity for hands-on learning with topics students are interested in.  This opens the door for cultivating passion and inspiring truly innovative solutions.  Cost can be a limiting factor for many students.  Through making the Makerspace on your campus free to students, the space becomes more accessible to a wider range of students, which improves the community and the ideas created there.</div><div><br/></div>
*Encourage innovation among students
*Enhance thinking ability
*Transform student ideas into products
*Generate startups at school level
*Promote hands-on learning
*Support creative problem solving
*Engage students within the program
*Support and implement innovation

== How to get it started? ==

=== ''Politics/Culture'' ===
<div>One of the most important aspects of creating a Makerspace, or implementing any new idea on your campus, is being aware of the culture and different politics that could impact what you are developing.  As each campus is different, the politics and culture of your campus will shape how you approach and tackle any given problem.  </div><div>The best way to use these to your advantage is to do research about both what is going on around your campus and about the people who are integrally involved in the projects and departments who can help you.  This way, when you are asking for help from people around your university, you can tailor your pitch to touch on things you know they are interested and invested in.  The context in which you pitch your idea for the free Makerspace and how you frame it has a significant impact on how your audience perceives and reacts to it.</div><div><br/></div>
=== ''The Pitch'' ===
<div>The pitch is a critical part in the process of making a free Makerspace.  As was discussed above, it is critical to understand who your audience is and how to best convey the value that the Makerspace will provide to students.  </div><div>When designing the pitch, consider what data will be most compelling.  Not only does it provide the audience something to hold onto, it impresses on them that work has been put into this proposal.  Data points that may be useful include: usage of existing labs on campus, interest in the project, number of people actively working towards this goal, amount of money needed, and what has already been done to reach this goal.</div><div>Additionally, it is paramount to pitch to the “right” people.  In this case, the “right” person is going to be anyone you can talk to, as the best allies and partnerships can result from seemingly unimportant conversations.</div><div><br/></div>
=== ''Funding'' ===
<div>Although the Makerspace you are creating is free to students, running the Makerspace costs money.  Ensuring that the space is available and that there are materials and equipment for students to use not only requires a large amount of work but also requires monetary support.  In order to keep the space free for students, you need to be persistent in looking for funding.  Some good places to start are: club funding, local sponsors, and donations.  </div><div>It pays to be creative to when attracting both sponsors and donations.  For example, the Makerspace developed at Western Michigan University uses an incentivized tiered donation system where the sponsors get a different size of sticker for donations within the tiers they developed.  These stickers decorate the walls of the Makerspace while promoting the businesses.</div><div><br/></div>
=== ''Promotion'' ===
<div>To get students to come to your Makerspace, you must develop a marketing campaign. The goal of this campaign should be to get students as interested in and excited about your space as possible. Creating branded posters and business cards for your Makerspace is a great start. Place your posters all around campus, making sure you have permission to do so. Try to place posters in every college, school, and building within your university to maximize the amount of students you reach with your marketing and to ensure students from all majors and disciplines know about and feel welcome to use your Makerspace. Holding events at your Makerspace where there is free food involved is a great way to get people through the door. College students love free food! </div>
*Understand your campus culture
*Ask, and be persistent!
*Ensure rapid prototyping tools are available
*Publicize your Makerspace to a diverse audience
*Fundraise and consider offering rewards

 

== Take-aways ==
<div>While Makerspaces can be difficult to start and even harder to offer free of cost to students, the benefits are well worth the struggle.  Makerspaces offer students a place for hands-on learning in an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.  The first attempt likely won’t be perfect.  As Nathan informed our team in the interview, there is always room to iterate.Hopefully, with this Wiki article, this process is a bit less daunting.</div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div>
----
</div><div>''Written by [[Lisa Feiden|Lisa Feiden]], Mackenzie Kinzel, [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Uday_Sai_Tyada Uday Sai Tyada], [[Abigail Graese|Abigail Graese]], [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Nagamani_ravula Nagamani Ravula], Maxwell Newberry''</div></div>
 

[[Category:Guides]]

Fellow:Lisa Feiden

2017-09-09T02:38:05Z

Lfeiden: Undo revision 52361 by Lfeiden (talk)

Fellow:Lisa Feiden

2017-09-09T02:37:46Z

Lfeiden:

<p><img src="/images/e/e0/Lisa_Feiden.jpeg" _fck_mw_filename="Lisa Feiden.jpeg" _fck_mw_type="thumb" alt="Lisa Feiden.jpeg" class="fck_mw_frame fck_mw_right" />
</p><p>Lisa Feiden is a University Innovation Fellows Candidate and working towards her Bachelors of Science in Engineering Science at <a href="Smith%20College">Smith College</a>.  While her school has a general engineering degree, she is drawn to mechanical, aerospace, and acoustic engineering.  This past summer, Lisa interned at NASA Ames in the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory working on an aeroacoustics project to attenuate acoustic reflections in wind tunnels for beamforming using optical visualization techniques.
</p>
<div>Outside of engineering, Lisa loves to do some sort of movement.  Through the years, this has been gymnastics, acrobatics, modern, ballet, jazz, lyrical, circus, and Middle Eastern dance.  In recent years, she specialized in Latin ballroom dance through the UMass Ballroom Dance Team and then at a studio in Connecticut where she competed at the pre-championship level.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lisa is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, especially young women and girls.  This has led her to many teaching and science outreach opportunities including a January-Term Teaching Fellowship, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGTED), Girls Leadership Academy Meetup (GLAM), and other short-term outreach events.</div><div><br /></div><div>Through attending a liberal arts college and seeing engineering through that lens, Lisa found that she was attracted to the creative aspects of the field.  She has taken multiple entrepreneurship classes (even one in Israel) and been a finalist in the Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs.  Lisa is very interested in the design thinking approach to problem solving.</div>

Fellow:Lisa Feiden

2017-09-09T02:36:48Z

Lfeiden: Undo revision 52357 by Lfeiden (talk)

Fellow:Lisa Feiden

2017-09-09T02:36:22Z

Lfeiden:

2017-09-09T02:29:22Z

Lfeiden:

2017-09-09T00:58:14Z

Lfeiden: Headshot of Lisa Feiden

Headshot of Lisa Feiden

Fellow:Lisa Feiden

2017-09-09T00:48:22Z

Lfeiden: Created page with "Lisa Feiden is a University Innovation Fellows Candidate and working towards her Bachelors of Science in Engineering Science at Smith College.  While her school has a gen..."

Lisa Feiden is a University Innovation Fellows Candidate and working towards her Bachelors of Science in Engineering Science at Smith College.  While her school has a general engineering degree, she is drawn to mechanical, aerospace, and acoustic engineering.  This past summer, Lisa interned at NASA Ames in the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory working on an aeroacoustics project to attenuate acoustic reflections in wind tunnels for beamforming using optical visualization techniques.
<div><br/></div><div>Outside of engineering, Lisa loves to do some sort of movement.  Through the years, this has been gymnastics, acrobatics, modern, ballet, jazz, lyrical, circus, and Middle Eastern dance.  In recent years, she specialized in Latin ballroom dance through the UMass Ballroom Dance Team and then at a studio in Connecticut where she competed at the pre-championship level.</div><div><br/></div><div>Lisa is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, espeically young women and girls.  This has led her to many teaching and science outreach opportunities including a January-Term Teaching Fellowship, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGTED), Girls Leadership Academy Meetup (GLAM), and other short-term outreach events.</div><div><br/></div><div>Through attending a liberal arts college and seeing engineering through that lens, Lisa found that she was attracted to the creative aspects of the field.  She has taken multiple entrepreneurship classes (even one in Israel) and been a finalist in the Draper Competition for Collegiate Women Entrepreneurs.  Lisa is very interested in the design thinking approach to problem solving.</div>