2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The purpose of this cross-case case study project is to ascribe characteristics of differently oriented makerspaces across the learning ecology at a singular institution to support design activities. By viewing specific spaces that emphasize a range of formal, informal, and nonformal learning contexts, we highlight considerations for physical, social, and cultural contexts, as well as founding design principles, metrics for success, and scalability and sustainability. With being an otherwise homogeneous corpus, this work can highlight the similarities and differences for makerspaces in educational settings.
With the introduction and ongoing incorporation of principles from the making community, engineering colleges have begun modifying existing design project spaces and creating new makerspaces to reflect this change in mindset. The ongoing initiatives to reflect the more creative and less rigidly designed nature of making can be challenging to implement since many ideas are counterintuitive to existing organizational structures. This is especially true in engineering-focused entities where the parties that have historically managed existing workspaces and their resources may not be as familiar with the pedological approaches and philosophies behind these areas. In addition, by the very nature of making, many common trends in makerspaces present unique challenges for the management; They require a very abstract look at the purposes and function in the settings they will operate inside.
Within a STEM-focused undergraduate school, we identify multiple workspaces available to students that provide aspects of makerspaces: library makerspace for all, machine shop area for mechanical engineering majors, and lap space to support low-and high-fidelity prototyping in design activities. The school is focused on the application of STEM learning through hands-on learning, design and project-based learning.
Initial findings indicate that there are notable discrepancies between the defined uses of the variety of spaces and uses. More structured spaces like a machine shop discourage initial engagement but provide for continual learning among sustained users. More informal spaces promote a larger variety of uses though with less personal buy-in and investment of time.