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== Background ==

<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. &nbsp;He is on the leadership board of The Innovation Club at his school. Nathan draws inspiration and motivation for leadership from the previous works of the Innovation Club as well as the previous fellows from the University Innovation Fellows at his school.</div><div><br/></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>&nbsp;</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. &nbsp;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>&nbsp;</div>

=== ''Funding'' ===

<div>Although the Makerspace you are creating is free to students, running the Makerspace costs money. &nbsp;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. &nbsp;In order to keep the space free for students, you need to be persistent in looking for funding. &nbsp;Some good places to start are: club funding, local sponsors, and donations. &nbsp;</div><div><br/></div><div>It pays to be creative to when attracting both sponsors and donations. &nbsp;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. &nbsp;These stickers decorate the walls of the Makerspace while promoting the businesses. Local and national businesses love advertising at local universities because it drives businesses through target audiences found at them. Offering wall space or places on flyers or advertisements can go a long way for businesses who are looking to sponsor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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!&nbsp;</div><div><br/></div>

<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. &nbsp;Makerspaces offer students a place for hands-on learning in an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. &nbsp;The first attempt likely won’t be perfect. &nbsp;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>Nathan mentioned in throughout his interview and during his closing statements that he is constantly driving to improve his makerspace. The leadership board for the Innovation Club is currently in the process of creating new plans for the makerspace at Western Michigan University.&nbsp;</div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div>

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[[Category:Guides]]