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A makerspace is a considerable investment, so securing financial support can be a challenge. Gaining faculty support is key to gaining administrative and financial support. After all, a makerspace will likely be operated primarily by faculty and students. The need and support for a makerspace should be demonstrated, then the conversation can shift toward funding. Obtaining local company sponsorship in any way, particularly for tools and materials, is important to further convey enthusiasm for the makerspace. For example, Michigan Tech’s makerspace was given a large donation of equipment from Milwaukee Tool which included prototyping tables. The makerspace team then turned the table building into an event!
== Access and Maintenance ==
The goals of the makerspace will include an audience that the makerspace will serve. Even a small makerspace can be made available to many students, but certain guidelines will need to be in place. If the makerspace has any tools or equipment that require safety procedures, there should be a system for overseeing the makerspace during operational hours. Many schools successfully implement student leadership. Though faculty may volunteer assistance, the involvement of student leaders engages more people on campus and is often easier to coordinate. Each leader should be trained to use the equipment and encouraged to make all visiting makers feel welcome.
== Academic Involvement ==
There are several possibilities for helping schools’ curriculums evolve to be more makerspace-friendly. This will increase awareness and engagement among students. There are several foibles of trying to sway an entire department to use makerspaces in their department-wide curriculum; namely, the department as a whole is highly unlikely to make any dramatic changes. Instead, target individual professors or faculty members who are particularly interested in innovation. This is much like when a grassroots campaign aims to spur interest on a person-to-person basis. When coordinating with individual faculty members, it might be appropriate to suggest co-designing a single class with the professor as the professor may not know how their class could best utilize the space. <br><br>
A makerspace phenomenon will not happen overnight. It will take a clear effort to spread awareness through the medium of class curriculum. Experience has shown that this is an effective method in introducing students to the resources available, and having more classes utilize the makerspace will increase both its visibility and use among students.
== Activities and Events ==
Fun social events in a makerspace can be a low-pressure way to introduce people to the space. An example of this is a brewing-themed event during which coffee could be served and people could decorate mugs and design bottle openers. These sorts of activities are fun to many different types of people. <br> <br>
Since it is important that a makerspace reflect the demographics on campus, it can be helpful to host makerspace events for underrepresented demographics. For example, hold a “Ladies Night” event to encourage the attendance of more women.<br><br>
Partnering with other campus offices and groups can also lead to successful events. Some schools have partnered with their career center to bring in employers that would be interested meeting with innovative students.<br><br>
Hackathons and similar events can also work well in a makerspace. One fun idea is to host a “mini-makeathon” during which participants are put in groups and given two hours to create something. A shorter time period may lead to more people signing up because it is minimal commitment.
==Promoting and Making Connections ==
Makerspace student leaders are some of the best makerspace promotors. They invite their friends and peers to utilize and attend events in the space, and word of mouth leads to good attendance. Diversity among makerspace student leaders may help encourage diversity of attendees. <br><br>
It may also be useful for a group of students to form a marketing team or policy committee specifically for the makerspace. This connects students to the space on a personal level while providing the space with valuable contributions. A marketing team has the added bonus of advertising for the space around campus! <br><br>
Additionally, faculty are a useful connection for promotion: students developing a makerspace can cater to the needs of a college by collaborating with the needs of faculty members. When a space is supported by many faculty, it is easier to build credibility and use resources across the entire campus.
== Advice ==
1. Surround yourself with people who are passionate about what you are doing. These are the type of people you can call at 1:00 a.m. and know they’ll be there to help if something goes wrong. <br>
2. Pace yourselves and be careful not to fall into discouragement. Recognize that you are doing something amazing! Any amazing feat requires a lot of time and effort. You can’t start at zero and instantaneously be at 100%. Try to take your time and have fun with it. <br>
3. Enjoy the little things and small victories along the way. Thank others for what they do and take some pride in what you were able to accomplish together.
