Implementing Best Practices and Facing Facilities Realities: Creation of a New University Makerspace

摘要

Findings from an initiative funded as part of a collaborative NSF IUSE-funded grant, reveals research-to-practice challenges and successes related to the establishment of a new research-focused university makerspace at Texas State University. The resulting space, Bobcat Made, was achieved in spite of space and funding challenges. It is a space under continuous improvement targeted to better reach the ideals laid forth in the best practices discoveries from this collaborative project. In addition, Bobcat Made makerspace is described in this paper and poster as well as the challenges that were faced/overcome in implementing the best practice ideals. A discussion regarding key findings related to programmatic, facilities, personnel, and online-tools will also be presented. Makerspace design considerations include high visibility both in physical location and in online presence, welcoming environments to help new students engage in the space, the culture of the makerspace and fostering a sense of student co-ownership. Bobcat Made makerspace has attempted to implement these ideals through furnishing, signage, staff training, special theme nights to attract new users, establishment of cross-college partnerships, employment of effective marketing strategies, a website for the makerspace, organization of a base of both volunteer and part-time student workers and the establishment of a Bobcat Made twitter account, and a wide range of open-use makerspace hours. This poster and paper will further describe the key recommendations developed by the research team and how they were implemented at Bobcat Made