View source for Resource:How to create a 100% student run makerspace

<span data-cke-bookmark="1" style="display: none">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">'''WikiGuide: How to Create a 100% Student Run Makerspace'''</span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">'''<span style="background-color: transparent;  white-space: pre-wrap">Introduction</span>'''</span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span style="background-color: transparent;  white-space: pre-wrap">Meet Nathan LaWarre, a student from Western Michigan University. Nathan is an active student on his campus and like </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67d7-1c1d-06e4-61c99709305d"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">many [[File:Nathan UIF Profile.JPG|thumb]]<span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67d7-1c1d-06e4-61c99709305d" style="background-color: transparent"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline">students from different universities, he is interested in bringing people fr</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent">om interdisciplinary backgrounds together. With his strong interest in creating an environment where students can ideate, build projects and learn, Nathan and his club, Innovation Club, created this collaborative work space at his university known as a “makerspace.”</span></span></span></span></span></span>



<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span style="background-color: transparent;  white-space: pre-wrap">As a creative and innovative work space, a makerspace is an accessible place where students are able to use multiple tools and resources. Whether it’s making your project idea come to life or learning a different skill, makerspaces give students the creative freedom to explore and produce tangible objects. In a student run makerspace, only students are responsible for managing and utilizing the facilities. For Nathan, creating a student run makerspace meant working with the right people and consistent planning in order to execute their vision for a successful work space.</span></span></span></span>



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<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">'''<span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">How to get started</span></span>'''</span></span></span>
<ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><u><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Get inspired and Get Involved</span></span></u></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Does your campus have a makerspace already? If so, try and get a position and help out! Nathan was able to help his makerspace by taking the lead on social media. He used that as a tool to get the space's name out to students and keep them updated. The first step to turning your makerspace into a student run makerspace is you and the energy and time you will bring to the group.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><u><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">If you need a space, you’re gonna have to work hard but don't be discouraged!</span></span></u></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Talk to faculty at your university and ask them for opinions and advice. Often times they can point you in a good direction</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Make a list of what you want to see in that space and dream big! 3D printers, machine equipment, project supplies like popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners, or hand tools and raw materials, at this stage don't let the budget be a deterrent. Think about what students will use and how it will benefit them. Here's a few items that Nathan found important for building his space:<br/>Arduino Mini Computers<br/>3d Printers<br/>AutoCad<br/>Raspberry Pis<br/>Hand Tools<br/>4-5 Computers</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Find the proper building for your space. What will studentsbe doing in your space? Doing homework, hanging out, building large-scale projects?</span></span></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Finding an appropriate room is a key step in creating an atmosphere that enables the activities you envision. You can run data on the availability of rooms on your campus in order to propose a space that you think is least utilized. Networking with organizations that you think might have unutilized space is also an excellent option (like libraries). Planning for extra space is a good idea, as it will give your users room to move around, and your makerspace room to grow. (How big do you think your makerspace will need to be in 5 years?) Nathan would like to see his space grow to around 1600 sqft in his five-year plan.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Consider holding events in your space - students will learn where you are and faculty may be more inclined to support</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Think of ways to benefit the whole university with your one space... It's challenging but ultimately will give your space more support (and more money). This could look like community betterment projects, human-centered problem solving using the tools in your new space, or even tutoring services <span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">at exam time</span></span> that match your members' core competencies.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><u><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Now it’s time for the hype.. '''Get people excited'''!</span></span></u></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Team up with professors and faculty who support what you are doing and you like to be around. Get them excited by sharing your passion and hopefully they can help fund your space through materials or equipment. Although you want your space to be student run, you need faculty involved for behind the scenes.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">A makerspace can be full of the greatest equipment and not used at all, that’s no good! In order to get students into your space you need to excite them. Get the word out!</span></span></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Is there a student organization fair soon? If so, get active in that! Hopefully, you have some funds available at this point that you could use to buy some little giveaways.. Freshman and people in general love giveaways!</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Recruit students from other disciplines that could help get the word out. This includes business, marketing, art, etc. Many will be excited to try out what they have been learning and will quickly jump on board.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Nathan shared a little trick with us: Give people business cards that have just a date and location on them. Don't tell them about the space, just encourage them to be there. The suspense draws people in, and before you know it they'll be coming every day.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Building a base of dedicated, excited users is the best strategy for finding volunteers for later. This may mean that you have to be present often in the early days of your makerspace. Your presence and excitement will rub off on the students that you draw in, and they will want to contribute too. Make sure to foster any ideas for improvement, or neat projects that they want to run. Giving students a stake in the space will build their personal investment and make them want to see it succeed.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol></li>
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<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">'''<span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">What to consider</span></span>'''</span></span></span>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><u><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">People are using your space, so how do you get it to be student run?</span></span></u></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Create opportunities. Give students a stake in the space, offering extended access or benefits.</span></span></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">At this point it is important to consider safety! If your space has machinery or anything dangerous talk to your supporting faculty. Train students in basic safety skills, and quiz them before letting them use equipment to make sure that they are prepared. Investigate the insurance situation for your makerspace, and consider adding an extra waiver stating that students have been trained and acknowledge the risks of the space.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Try to get outside funding that will cover the cost of materials so that anything students do is free for them. Seriously, what student wouldn’t come learn how to use a 3D printer for free? It’s free!</span></span></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Funding can be achieved through grants, faculty, fundraising, or even crowdfunding. Think about starting a crowdfund that supports students and their projects - including your own!</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Offer workshops with guided projects to get people creative, and turn them loose on their own projects when they come to you with them. Sometimes the crazier the better, just make sure to get pictures so that you can share with others.</span></span></span></li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><u><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Your makerspace will have mixed responses.</span></span></u></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Garnering enough support and interest isn’t easy. Your makerspace should be inclusive and open to everyone, no matter what their concentration.</span></span></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">You might find many art, business or engineering students using this space primarily. Why not try collaborating with students or clubs/organizations from different majors and come up with project ideas that benefit the both of you? Or even offer lessons in an area that they are unfamiliar with, but are interested in learning more?</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol></li>
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Interdisciplinary work is a great life skill to learn, and If you help several departments with official school projects you can get money for your space, and ultimately for your own projects.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap"><u>What do you do if this thing gets big . . . really big</u></span></span></span></span></span>
#<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">If you generate enough positive response you may be able to become a recognized or official part of the university's practice</span></span></span></span></span>
##<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Try to negotiate for your own building or dedicated space, again dream big.</span></span></span></span></span>
##<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Make an effort to involve your work in the school's cirriculum, doing this will help you tap into major funding and resources not to mention the number of people who will be coming into your space.</span></span></span>
##<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Make sure to keep up with safety guidelines and ensure that you are attentive of new rules you may be under as you expand. You will have a lot more people keeping a close eye on you as you grow.</span></span></span>
#<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Tell the world about it!</span></span></span>
##<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Be proud of your work. Advertise on your job profiles, and look for media outlets on campus or in the community to share the idea of your maker space.</span></span></span>
##<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Sometimes companies will be willing to donate materials or equipment to your school, sometimes you can work with your school to offer them write offs for their donations, or honor them using plaques or advertising in your space.</span></span></span>
#<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">Keep Making cool stuff</span></span></span>
##<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">The more high quality, creative, problem-solving products that come out of your space the better. Keep good documentation and people will notice your work. This is what leads to jobs and interviews later on.</span></span></span></li>


<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">'''<span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Your Vision</span></span>'''</span></span></span>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><u><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Have a strong reason to want a makerspace, an overall vision and plan.</span></span></u></span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">Creating a makerspace can have a long lasting impact on your college campus and for future generations of students.</span></span>&nbsp;</span></span></span><ol style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">
<li><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ce008693-67e6-fcc9-8533-8aaa201ba534"><span style="background-color: transparent;  vertical-align: baseline;  white-space: pre-wrap">In order to maintain and possibly expand your makerspace, continue working closely with faculty and students to ensure that the future of your makerspace will continue to thrive and be accessible to everyone.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<br/><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">'''Contributors:'''</span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">[[Drake Dawson]]</span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">[[Andrew Stroud]]</span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/User:Patriciaho Patricia Ho]</span></span></span>

<span style="font-size:medium"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="font-family: tahoma,geneva,sans-serif">[[James Long|James Long]]</span></span></span>

<span data-cke-bookmark="1" style="display: none">&nbsp;</span>