What Are Makerspaces?
A makerspace is a dedicated workspace that houses digital design and manufacturing resources. A typical space includes a design tools, equipment, materials, areas for work and collaboration, and technical staff. The intent of a makerspace is to provide everything needed to take an idea for a physical object, turn it into a digital design and then actually make it.
Makerspaces typically include the following types of digital manufacturing equipment: 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl printers and/or cutters and CNC Mills and routers. All of these types of equipment require a digital file to be manufactured; this can be downloaded from the internet or created using 2D or 3D design (CAD) software. Makerspaces typically have computer and software resources to allow students to create their own digital designs. There are a number of free or low cost, browser-based design tools that can be used, including Tinkercad, Onshape, Canva and Inkscape. Additional specialty equipment can be included in the space depending on intended use scenario, including embroidery machines, 3D scanners, virtual reality and/or augmented reality headsets and displays, and electronics and soldering tools.
The cost of the space and schedule for creating it varies based on complexity and types of equipment used. On the low end, a makerspace with limited, inexpensive equipment can have a budget of $20k and be up and running in 2 months or less, with the critical path flowing through equipment lead times. For new construction of a large makerspace, it may take 18 months or more to raise funds, design and construct the space, procure and install all of the necessary equipment and train key staff. A project such as this can easily run into seven figures. It is important to have realistic budgets and timeframes for creation of your makerspace to set appropriate expectations.
Why Create a Makerspace?
In educational environments, makerspaces provide a platform for students to collaborate, create and invent, and for educators to inspire and teach or reinforce key concepts using real world applications. Educational makerspaces can be utilized by students of all ages – from pre-K to gray. In today’s technological world, all students are STEM students, and makerspaces provide engaging opportunities to learn STEM essential subject matter while developing 21st century skills.
Educational makerspaces offer transformative opportunities to inspire students and empower educators to prepare students for the modern workforce, and life in general, through digital design and manufacturing. A makerspace democratizes access to digital design and manufacturing technologies, presenting the opportunity for all students – traditional and non-traditional, those from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM careers, and those with disabilities – to use and benefit from the space. Educational makerspaces raise the technology level of the classroom, allowing students to design and prototype their own creations. They provide the opportunity for students to explore STEM careers and entrepreneurship, giving them the tools and resources to create their own product. The ability to create unique, custom products can also be leveraged by the school for fundraising and outreach, bringing a tangible return on investment (ROI) to the bottom line.
Types of Makerspaces
Several types of makerspaces are available depending on the needs of the educational institution. These include traditional fixed classroom/laboratory spaces, mobile spaces, cloud-enabled spaces that allow virtual access, and hybrid spaces that combine some or all of these elements.
Traditional, fixed makerspaces provide a designated area with a school that can be used by students both in school, and (if available) after school. Some advantages of a fixed space are that there is generally more room to house larger and noisier equipment, the larger area allows more students to use the makerspace concurrently and there is no chance that the equipment will be disturbed or damaged during transport. Fixed makerspaces provide a central location for intended users and can provide a popular meeting place for students to congregate both in and outside of class.
A mobile makerspace is a self-contained, transportable makerspace that can be moved to various locations to reach distributed groups of people. A mobile makerspace may be a good fit if there isn’t currently space within an institution, if there are budget limitations or if you are trying to bring hands-on makerspace experiences to geographically dispersed groups, particularly those in areas with limited internet access. Due to space constraints, equipment within a mobile makerspace is typically more limited than a traditional fixed space. Types of mobile makerspaces can include RV makerspaces and towable makerspaces. Towable spaces can either contain an enclosed work space or utilize a roll-off approach, where the equipment is mounted on carts or stands with casters and rolled off of the trailer when the destination is reached.
Cloud-enabled makerspace share the resources of the space by allowing distributed users to virtually connect to the space. This type of approach can help facilitate the hub-and-spoke makerspace model, where a central makerspace supports different groups of users who may have limited or no physical access to the space. The cloud enabled makerspace becomes a virtual extension of the classroom, serving to augment the resources of member schools to expand capacity or provide access to more expensive machinery. The central makerspace staff can provide remote instruction, training and production support, shipping student projects to their appropriate locations. Some advantages with this makerspace approach are that the burden of equipment cost, operation and maintenance does not fall onto the member schools, students receive the benefits of the makerspace without the inherent dangers of interfacing directly with the equipment and anyone can have access to the space regardless of physical location.
A hybrid makerspace can combine one or more of the above approaches to leverage the benefits of each. For example, both fixed and mobile makerspaces can be outfitted with cameras and other equipment to provide remote access, greatly expanding the geographic service area of the makerspace. Alternatively, a makerspace can be constructed in a movable structure such as an ISO container or Butler building, which can be transported, if necessary, but not quite as easily as a mobile space. If there are space or budget constraints, this type of hybrid space can be a cost-effective alternative. It also may not be subject to the same permitting and inspection process as a permanent makerspace.