Construct3D 2018

UNC-Chapel Hill's BeAM network has makerspaces across campus that offer students, faculty, and staff access to a variety of digital fabrication tools, from laser cutting to 3D printing to machine embroidery. One challenge of having such a wide variety of users is supporting diverse learning pathways for all users while balancing the broad availability of makerspace resources. By continually experimenting with new approaches, BeAM has stayed nimble in addressing the needs of various users. In this talk, Anna Engelke, Program Coordinator for the BeAM network, and Glenn Walters, Director of the ESE Design Center, will share the process they use to design resources to support the users that visit the BeAM makerspaces. This includes the development and prototyping of tool trainings, design workshops, academic curricula, digital simulation games, learning communities, and online materials. They will also discuss partnerships between BeAM and other on-campus groups in developing these resources, such as collaborating with the School of Education to study makerspace learning environments. Session attendees are encouraged to participate in small-group discussion after a 20-25 minute presentation. Groups will share their experiences and observations as they relate to the presented learning resources and brainstorm how resources could be adapted to different contexts.