3/20/2023 Maddie Yang
Written by Maddie Yang
Many students in the MechSE department are familiar with the Jackson Innovation Studio, a workspace necessary for the hands-on projects required by mechanical engineering design classes. Starting this semester, students can join the MakerWorks Club and get 24/7 access to the space, including the woodshop, by volunteering at least four hours per week. Students will also be able to use the Metal Maker Studio after being trained on the other machinery. The club is run by 10 student directors who are voted in each year. Students start as Apprentice Makers and move to Journey Makers as they become trained on additional machinery.
As Apprentice Makers, students begin volunteering in the Jackson Innovation Studio, where they help maintain the space by cleaning, keeping tools and equipment organized, and assisting peers working on projects. Through this experience, they learn about studio equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters. Students can then train on more complex machinery within the studio and other spaces. In turn, trained members can teach new students and pass on their knowledge. Joining the Makerworks Club is a great way to gain technical skills and career knowledge and meet new people!
The MakerWorks Club also works on outreach projects and has already begun partnering with other organizations including iRobotics. At the group’s Robot Day on February 5, MakerWorks members provided a space for visiting children and their families to create a small mechanism and take home laser-cut souvenirs from the studio.
If you’re interested in getting involved, join this slack and contact Nathan Stalder at stalder4@illinois.edu.