Feeling crafty? Have you thought of a cool way to pimp your dorm room (pipe cleaners!!!!)? Bwogger Henry Litwhiler takes us to the newly opened Maker Space to talk about the innovative opportunities that are now available.
For those currently harboring detailed blueprints for an erotic tea set under their floorboards, Columbia has launched a surprisingly generous initiative to make those and other friendship-straining dreams come true. Called the Columbia Maker Space, the new workshop is situated on the 12th floor of Mudd and features a wide array of equipment and materials for all manner of projects. The room features two large and two small 3D printers, a drill press, three rather high-tech sewing machines, an assortment of power and woodworking tools, a soldering bench, a vinyl cutter, and a bike station. A laser cutter is expected to arrive soon.
With the blessing of Dean Boyce and under the advisement of Professor John Kymissis, the Space has opened its doors to students at CC and SEAS, regardless of major. When asked about a certain affiliated women’s college, Professor Kymissis said that the organizers were “working on Barnard” and that “nobody’s really sure.” One organizer indicated that the Maker Space has been “hesitant” to open itself up to graduate students for fear that they’d overrun the place for research.
Those who’d like to make use of the space’s resources need only sign up for a brief safety training session. In addition, a team of trained volunteers, dubbed “Superusers,” will be on hand for scheduled office hours to answer questions and provide instruction.
Beyond that, students are left largely to their own devices. When asked if there were any guidelines for what could be made at the CMS, Kymissis said that there was “no limit.” Dreams of your correspondent notwithstanding, it isn’t difficult to imagine ways in which restrictions could be incurred by some enthusiastic tinkerers (coining “Bonggate” now). At the time of Monday’s information session, two 3D printers were chugging away at a small Statue of Liberty and a (fully platonic) teacup.
If you’re wondering why and how the University is paying for this playground, you aren’t alone. Professor Kymissis described the current funding situation as a “blank check,” which he expects to “end at some point.” For the time being, says Kymissis, Dean Boyce wants to see the space become hip and functional before dealing with questions of fundraising.
The CMS currently offers a wide assortment of cheaper raw materials free of charge, but high-aiming makers will have to come up with more expensive building blocks on their own. Given Columbia students’ penchant for going Ocean’s Eleven on free consumables, however, the duct tape giveaway might not last terribly long. Thrifty builders would do well to hop aboard the pipe cleaner and soldering wire gravy train while they can.
Information about the Maker Space and upcoming events can be found on its Facebook page.
14 Comments
@Fran Thompson Inventors Club is preparing for its next major project and we need your support. We have launched a Kickstarter campaign in order to raise $5,000 for a new project in Gwinnett County. Our project is building the very first pre-k thru 8th grade Makerspace in Georgia. We plan to have a 3D Printing Center, Lego Center, Music Production Lab, Robotics and more…. We need your pledge to support this project.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/120023919/inventors-club-makerspace-build-break-fix-repeat
@Bill Moore Gonna fail. Makerspaces have to be egalitarian and about communities of people. It’s not a room full of tools, it’s a room full of people using the tools to teach, learn and create. It has to be open to all or it’s not a makerspace.
@Anonymous There goes another classroom.
@I don't understand Why barnard and GS students have to be up in arms about CC and SEAS students getting some things they dont. Their schools definitely get some things that ours do not, and we are also the ones who paid for it. Especially Barnard students: you don’t actually go to this institution, not every single thing has to be at your disposal. You can already cross enroll and use our study spaces, that’s a lot
@You've got to be joking Woww!! You have got to be kidding about Barnard students not going to this institution. And in regards to you getting all butt hurt that GS and Barnard are up in arms about not having access– the above comments are coming from GS students. Where do you see Barnard students complaining and automatically thinking everything is at our disposal?
@BSGS GS uses “your” study spaces? Good lord.
@Anonymous Its called “the College Library” for a reason.
@this guy's face lurking in the first pic
@GS get out
@BSGS Really, GS isn’t even mentioned? Is this going to just be another exclusive-thing, at least culturally, where the language just doesn’t include us… (e.g. departmental prizes, leadership positions in clubs, etc.)…? Or are we included, but just the verbally unspoken of stepchild?
@Anonymous You do have to realize that the space was entirely paid for by SEAS and Columbia College and the room was donated from the school of engineering. Rather than complaining about and to SEAS and CC, GS would be better at directing their complaints to their dean.
@Anonymous That’s information is not in the article, or obviously available. If true, it’s great, and should be in an article about the space.
@BSGS Good for you guys.
I complained about the language though… mostly bwog’s consistent tone of ignoring GS.
I’ve been here 5 years almost and it’s ridiculous.
Also, our “dean structure” for money going toward things doesn’t quite work the same. We have less, period. I’m sure money could have gone to it from GS if someone in GS was informed. I doubt they were. That’s how this works.
Obviously more education is needed.
@Anonymous What about GS?