Makerspace Research Collaborative
Goals
The Makerspace Research Collaborative (MRC) is a project-based, studio-style research experience for students interested in investigating the role of makerspaces in education, creativity, community, and technology. Through independent and collaborative pathways, students build and share a research project rooted in hands-on making while contributing to real challenges and opportunities in campus makerspaces. Projects may culminate in public presentations, scholarly outputs, publications, prototypes, or future development opportunities. MRC is designed for students who want to move beyond simply using makerspaces and begin studying, improving, and shaping them through research and innovation.
Research Opportunities
Students in MRC may choose from multiple ways to participate:
- Join existing makerspace research efforts currently being led by the advisors
- Contribute to active projects connected to university makerspaces and innovation spaces
- Develop their own makerspace research ideas under the guidance and mentorship of the advisors
- Collaborate with transdisciplinary teammates on emerging opportunities
- Build presentations, portfolios, prototypes, and scholarly outputs from their work
This structure allows students to enter established projects quickly or pursue original ideas with faculty support. Students may take 1 - 3 credits depending on their capacity and advisor availability.
Issues Involved or Addressed
- Research through making
- Design thinking and iterative prototyping
- Digital fabrication and traditional craft practices
- Community engagement in makerspaces
- Environmental sustainability
- Indoor air quality and fabrication environments
- Inclusion, belonging, and access in maker culture
- Microcredentials and workforce development
- Safety systems, training models, and access control
- Emerging technologies in learning environments
- Assistive and health-related device innovation
- Future models of makerspaces and creative spaces
Methods and Tech
- Digital fabrication (3D printing, CNC, laser cutting, embroidery, vinyl cutting)
- Scanning and modeling (3D scanning, photogrammetry, CAD, Autodesk Fusion)
- Electronics (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, sensors, embedded systems)
- Data collection and visualization
- Environmental sensing and monitoring
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Participatory design and co-design methods
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Ethnographic documentation and narrative design
- Prototype testing and user feedback
Academic Majors of Interest
Though open to all majors, we are especially interested in students from:
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Design and Applied Arts
- Architecture
- Humanities
- Information Science
- Education
- Environmental Science
- Computer Science
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
Students from any discipline with a strong interest in making, research, and innovation are encouraged to apply!
Preferred Interests and Preparation
Students who thrive in MRC are often:
- Curious and self-motivated
- Comfortable with ambiguity and experimentation
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Interested in research through creative practice
- Motivated to solve real-world problems
- Excited by hands-on learning
- Willing to learn new tools and methods
- Interested in improving spaces, systems, and communities
Students are strongly encouraged to complete HSD 420 / 520: Makerspaces, Design Practices and Community Impacts as a pre- or co-requisite. This course provides experiential learning in university makerspaces and helps students build the practical knowledge needed to contribute to makerspace research.
Through direct engagement with tools, workflows, design processes, and collaborative projects, students gain experience in design thinking, rapid prototyping, computer modeling, digital and traditional fabrication, teamwork, critique, and evidence-based problem solving. Students with significant prior makerspace experience or equivalent preparation may be considered for exceptions.
Application Process
To express interest in this team, please complete the VIP Interest Form and select "Makerspace Research Collaborative."
We typically welcome new students at the start of each semester, and students are encouraged to remain involved across multiple semesters to deepen their impact, skills, and leadership development. Because MRC is a research-focused makerspace experience, applicants should plan to complete HSD 420 / 520 before joining or enroll in it concurrently unless they qualify for an exception based on prior experience.
This team:
- Accepts students at the start of each semester.
- Only recruits students for credit.
