2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Measuring Sustainability Mindsets in University Makerspaces: Design and Initial Validation of the Material Availability Policy (MAP) Survey Instrument

Presented at Sustainability in Materials and Makerspaces- ENVIRON Division

University makerspaces are increasingly recognized as experiential learning environments that foster innovation, prototyping, and hands-on engineering practice. However, they also contribute significantly to plastic waste—particularly through 3D printing. As institutions pursue ambitious sustainability goals, material availability policies within makerspaces offer a strategic yet underexplored opportunity to influence student behavior and mindset. This study investigates how pay-per-use, quantity limits, and bring-your-own-material (BYOM) policies shape sustainability and circularity attitudes among students in engineering and engineering technology programs.
Guided by the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) framework, which emphasizes integrating sustainability competencies into engineering education, this research explores how operational policies can serve as behavioral nudges that promote resource-conscious design and environmental stewardship. The study is grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Social Cognitive Theory, the research also seeks to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Material Availability Policy (MAP) survey instrument designed to measure user experiences, attitudes, and behavioral intentions within this context. Constructs include perceived usefulness, ease of use, behavioral intention, environmental concern, and sustainability knowledge, alongside self-reported sustainable practices and barriers to adoption.
The survey is currently being deployed at two academic institutions in North Carolina, targeting undergraduate and graduate students, who actively use university makerspaces. Using a cross-sectional design and correlational analysis, the survey examines how different policy environments influence user behavior and mindset. Future phases will expand to additional institutions to enable cross-site comparisons and broader generalizability.
Preliminary findings will assess whether material availability policies encourage students to “Think before Do”—promoting intentional design, material reuse, and waste reduction. The study also explores equity implications and implementation challenges associated with cost-based and rationing policies, with attention to how these may affect access and participation across diverse user populations.
By intersecting makerspace policy design with the EOP framework, this research contributes empirical evidence to the evolving field of sustainable engineering education while validating psychometric tools for behavioral assessment. It offers actionable insights for administrators seeking to align makerspace operations with institutional sustainability goals, while enhancing student learning through real-world resource management. Ultimately, the study positions makerspaces as transformative platforms for cultivating sustainability and circularity competencies in future engineers.

Authors

Dr. Nelson A. Granda Marulanda http://orcid.org/https://0009-0003-4582-2155 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University [biography]

Nelson A. Granda Marulanda, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Applied Engineering Technology department at North Carolina A&T State University. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, an M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Granda’s research and teaching are rooted in Sustainable Development through the Triple Bottom Line and Systems Thinking approaches. As the Director of the STRONG Lab (Sustainable Technology, Research and Operations for the Next Generation), he focuses on integrating industrial ecology and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into additive manufacturing and engineering curricula. Prior to his academic career, he gained extensive industry experience in the Eolic (Wind) and Aerospace sectors, which informs his current work as the Capstone Coordinator for his department. An active member of the Engineering for One Planet (EOP) network and advisory board for EOP-MGP, Dr. Granda is a strong advocate for the belief that education is the fundamental driver for achieving a global sustainable future.
Dr. Yang Zhang Western Carolina University [biography]

Dr. Yang Zhang is an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering + Technology at Western Carolina University. Dr. Zhang achieved his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University. Dr. Zhang is passionate of conducting engineering education with innovative methods; he believes the best method for conveying the subject matter is the interest.
Joao Paulo Jacomini Prioli http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5756-8455 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University [biography]

Dr. Joao Prioli is an Assistant Professor at North Carolina A&T State University. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Wayne State University and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Uberlândia. His research focuses on advancing automation solutions to support the circular economy, with a particular emphasis on smart manufacturing, CAD-based disassembly, and human-robot collaboration. His work explores data-driven modeling and automated disassembly processes to enable sustainable production and resource recovery.
Oladayo Ariyo North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University [biography]

Oladayo Ariyo is a doctoral candidate in the Applied Science and Technology Program with a concentration in Technology Management at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He received his Master’s Degree in Applied Physical Science (Environmental Science) and his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Georgia Southern University. He will graduate with his Ph.D. in May 2026.

Oladayo’s research interests focus on Sustainable systems in Manufacturing and Material Science. He worked as a Research Assistant on Additive Manufacturing of Wood Polymer Composites, and served as a Teaching Assistant for the American Cutting Edge Initiative (ACE) sponsored by the Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment, covering 3D Printing and CNC Machining.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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