Makerspace Research Collaborative
Goals
Students in the Makerspace Research Collaborative explore research through hands-on engagement with makerspace tools and practices. Projects include individual investigations and collaborative research on topics such as sustainability, community engagement, and the future of fabrication.
The Makerspace Research Collaborative is a project-based, studio-style research experience for students interested in investigating the role of makerspaces in education, creativity, community, and technology. Through either an independent or collaborative track, students will build and share a research project rooted in hands-on making. The course supports multiple modes of inquiry—whether exploring air quality in fabrication environments, prototyping assistive devices, or designing educational workshops—and fosters deep engagement with the makerspace community and partner spaces. Projects culminate in public presentations and may offer pathways to publication and future development.
Issues Involved or Addressed
- Research through making
- Design thinking and iterative prototyping
- Digital fabrication and traditional crafting
- Community engagement in makerspaces
- Environmental sustainability (e.g., material recycling, air quality)
- Inclusion and access in maker culture
- Microcredentials and educational innovation
Methods and Tech
- Digital fabrication (3D printing, CNC, laser cutting, embroidery)
- Scanning and modeling (structured light, photogrammetry, Fusion 360)
- Electronics (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, sensors)
- Virtual and augmented reality (Unity, VR design)
- Participatory design and qualitative methods
- Ethnographic documentation and narrative design
Academic Majors of Interest
Though open to all majors, we are most interested in students majoring in:
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Design and Applied Arts
- Digital Humanities
- Library and Information Sciences
- Education
- Environmental Sciences
Preferred Interests and Preparation
- Curious and self-motivated
- Comfortable with ambiguity and experimentation
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Interested in research through creative practice
Application Process
To express interest in this team, please complete the VIP Interest Form and select "Makerspace Research Collaborative."
We accept students at the start of each semester.
We only recruit students for credit.