The Makerspace Office at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a spot on the third-floor of the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library, where students can experiment and start creating. Makerspace hosted a water colour workshop on Oct. 1, and many students were in attendance.
All the supplies needed were handed out to them at no cost, with the event free-for-all to attend and design.
Makerspace Coordinator Rachell Hester describes the environment.
“Students can learn new skills independently or collaboratively,” Hester said. “There are resources available to get the help to go further on your projects or ideas with the help of trained student assistants or staff. It is also a great place to de-stress during finals week.”
At the Makerspace, students are free to do almost anything they want to. General supplies that are user-friendly are available during open hours such as paracord, button machines, paint, makers, pencils paper, books for inspiration, puzzles and craft supplies.
There are also supplies available such as hot glue guns, needles for felting or embroidery or sewing, and precision or Xacto knives. These supplies do, according to Hester, require a short safety training, but are also generally available.
Laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, along with some other tools and supplies will be available for students during workshops or by request, if they have enough staffing. No prior experience is needed.
“In the future, students can look forward to projects like sewing a face mask with an Auntie Chrissy Lay,” Hester said.
Lay is a CSUMB faculty member and co-author of the Auntie Sewing Squad. Lay speaks about making as a means of social justice. Masks made during this workshop can be for participants or child size masks that will be delivered to communities in need.
Lay’s book, “The Auntie Sewing Squad,” will be available at the CSUMB library for students interested in checking it out.
In December, Makerspace’s First Friday is collaborating with the College of Business to have a Q&A styled workshop about personal finances. This will include anything from student loans to car loans, credit cards, savings, budgeting and more.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, and the experts will try their best to answer any questions. Hester also assures that craft and activities will also take place during this workshop.
More specific activities and workshops have yet to be determined, but students are encouraged to stay up to date on what is happening by following their Instagram page @csumb_makerspace for more details. MyRaft will also be a platform where students can get information and stay up to date about what is going on.
In case there are any specific projects students want to work on in the future, Hester encourages them to email [email protected] and include a short text with their idea, or a YouTube or other form of tutorial link.
Makerspace is currently open Fridays from noon to 4 p.m. and students are encouraged to stop by. The office is only closed the first Friday of the month, when workshops are being hosted instead.
Students can check their interests on the paper located outside the Makerspace office to announce what they would like to see more of.
Makerspace is dependent on funding from grants in order to be able to purchase supplies and fund student assistants.
Seeing as grants are never guaranteed, Hester and the team are working hard to provide access.
“This is an awesome resource on campus, and encourages all students to come utilize the Makerspace,” Hester said. “Let us know it has use and value to our CSUMB community.”