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The clean lab in the Makerspace.

If you’re looking for a space to let your creativity soar, look no further. The makerspace in Aquinas Hall is open for business!

The makerspace is an area for many different types of creativity. Need to use a sewing machine? The makerspace has you covered. Want to use a 3D printer? Go ahead. Glasswork? Of course. If you can think it, you can make it in the makerspace. 

Matt Klosky, professor of business, encourages students to use the makerspace to turn creative ideas into reality. 

“We can go all the way from, ‘I have this concept,’ and we will help you flesh that out into an activity,” said Klosky. “We have a variety of tools and a variety of activities that we can support.”

The makerspace consists of an ideation space and fabrication labs. The fabrication labs are known as the “clean” lab and the “dirty” lab, respectively. The ideation space has large tables for students to plan designs, and is open during regular business hours. When ready to implement your idea, head into the labs. The clean lab includes 3D printing machines, a sewing machine, a Cricut machine, and a buildable robot. The dirty lab is where glass and woodworking take place. 

The makerspace has many materials for students to use, but you may still need to bring your own for certain projects. To use the sewing machine, for example, you need to bring your own fabric, although thread is provided. If you’d like to use the 3D printer for large-scale projects, you’ll need your own filament. However, the tools are free to use!

To find the makerspace, enter Aquinas Hall and turn right. Keep walking, and you’ll bump straight into the clear glass doors of the ideation lab.

Kacey Davitt is the makerspace coordinator. She is working on putting together a makerspace club for students to participate in. The club aims to help students acquire materials for creative projects.

“We are establishing a makerspace club. We are still in the initial steps, but that should be a route for students,” said Davitt. She is hopeful the club will launch at the beginning of the spring semester. 

Another fun opportunity for students to engage in are the makerspace challenges. Biweekly challenges give students a chance to test their creativity and win prizes. 

The first challenge involved using basic building blocks to build the tallest tower possible. Students took pictures of their towers, measured next to a meter stick, and emailed them to the makerspace email to submit their entry.

Winners can choose a large 3D print job or stickers from the Cricut machines as their prize. Stop by the makerspace often to see the current challenge.

Students who would like to use the makerspace can email makerspace@smumn.edu describing what they would like to do and at what time. Tours of the makerspace are also available to learn more about the tools it provides. Professors can bring their classes to the makerspace to work on class projects by emailing the makerspace email.