Creating makerspaces on college campuses
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Colleges and universities across the country are incorporating makerspaces into their new and renovated STEM buildings to provide a place for students and faculty to create, invent, learn and build stuff together.
These hands-on spaces are equipped with cutting edge software and technology ‑ including 3D printers, robotics equipment, welding supplies and more – to encourage collaboration and entrepreneurship.
The University of Tulsa is one school embracing this trend, enlisting Hastings+Chivetta to design makerspaces in Rayzor and Stephenson halls. Rayzor Hall, which is pictured at left, is home to the departments of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Stephenson houses Mechanical Engineering and the McDougall School of Petroleum Engineering. Spaces in those buildings focus on robotics, software design, prototyping, and also include special areas for senior projects.
Students using these labs are collaborating on projects ranging from building robots for national competitions to experimenting with drones. The projects are interdisciplinary, hands on and collaborative – much like the real world.
The University of Tulsa is not alone in looking to Hastings+Chivetta to program and design cutting edge makerspaces:
- Engineering students at the Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex at Marshall University are enjoying one of the few Advanced Material Testing Laboratories in the country. The lab creates an ideal spot to tinker and test new ideas. The 2½-foot thick concrete floor can resist up to 50,000 pounds of force.
- Construction management students at John Brown University use studio space in the Balzer Technology Center as an intersection between classroom theory and real construction projects. Working in this environment helps students develop problem solving and communication skills in a way the classroom environment cannot.
- Engineering students at John Brown University also use the Balzer Technology Center for experimental projects such as building robots for NASA competitions or researching and building projects for the international community. The students use equipment such as jet engines and 3D prototyping tools to complete their projects.
Research has shown that today’s students are more successful learners in this self-directed manner. Colleges and universities are embracing this academic trend and providing more laboratories to create a connected and interactive learning experience.