2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Embrace Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Makerspaces with a Network of Tutors (Work in Progress)

Presented at Design in Engineering Education Division (DEED) - DEI and Design Education

The [Innovation center] of the Faculty of Engineering at [University] hosts an academic makerspace aimed at fostering interdisciplinary hands-on learning among undergraduate students. Its user population has grown from 931 to over 2,800 students within two years after its launch. Such growth brings more diversity to the workspace in terms of study focuses, study years, skill levels, and cultural backgrounds. It also induces challenges to the accessibility and inclusion of the makerspace.

The effectiveness of the makerspace depends on its commitment to embrace diversity and inclusion to create an open and welcoming environment that stimulates innovative ideas. This practice paper documents the challenges and opportunities we have encountered due to the inadequacy of diversity and inclusion in the [Innovation center] since its launch and its progress after two years of operation with the help of supportive tutors. We also present the formation of such a tutor network, which itself is designed to be also diverse in terms of academic background, gender and culture. An evaluation of the impact of this approach on makerspace diversity, inclusion, and equity is presented through a thorough analysis of statistics and reflections from the tutors involved in the initiative.

Authors

Miss Chi Ying Chan University of Hong Kong [biography]

Miss Chi Ying Chan holds a Master's degree from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and currently serves as a Teaching Assistant at the Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing. Her passion lies in hands-on projects that involve utilizing prototyping machines in the makerspace.
Dr. Chun Kit Chui University of Hong Kong [biography]

Dr. Chun Kit Chui serves as the Director of the Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Innovation Wing aims to unleash students' creativity by entrusting them to spearhead ambitious innovation and technology projects that will shape the future. The iconic facility is located at the heart of the campus, offering 2400m2 of space with state-of-the-art resources and a supportive environment to enhance hands-on and experiential learning for undergraduate students.

He also holds the position of Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at HKU. His research interests include database and data mining, as well as pedagogical research in computing education. Dr. Chui has received several education awards, including the University Outstanding Teaching Award (Individual Award) at the University of Hong Kong for the 2015-16 academic year and the Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award (Individual Award) in the Faculty of Engineering for the 2012-13 academic year. Additionally, he has been honored with the Teaching Excellence Award in the Department of Computer Science for the academic years 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16. Furthermore, he was a shortlisted candidate for the UGC Teaching Award (Early Career Faculty Member).

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