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Establishing a Campus Makerspace: How Our Institutions Can Embrace STEAM, Creative Research, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

A makerspace is a place where people with shared interests, especially in computing, technology, and the creative arts, can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge. This five-day summer workshop series focuses on the process of establishing a makerspace and lab for innovation, using Spelman College, a historically Black women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia, as a case study. Each day, this workshop series will focus on a new topic of creative research (mixed reality, physical computing, 3D printing, creative coding) in order to explain the processes, technologies, resources, collaborations, and support tools that are needed when establishing a makerspace at your respective institution.

Seminar Schedule. Seminars run Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a midday communal lunch. Seminar conveners may adjust the class schedule in response to participant needs. Special events may also be held during the week. Participants are required to attend the full week of seminar meetings and maintain 90% attendance overall.

Seminar Materials. Eligible participants are provided with all required seminar materials (books, articles, laboratory equipment, and entrance fees).

Accommodations & Meals. Limited housing accommodations are provided to participants who live more than 50 miles from the program site. All admitted participants are provided with some meals during the program period.

Application Procedure. Applicants should submit the completed application along with all of the following:

  • A statement of intent that indicates how the seminar participant will apply what is learned at the home institution
  • A current CV
  • A letter of support from either the division dean or department head, who is well-acquainted with the applicant’s area of research
  • Their institutional liaison officer’s approval