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Building Community with Makerspaces

by Carol Kunzler

Snow College faculty are committed to providing opportunities for community connections, which is exactly why Professors Jay Olsen, Jon Pugmire, Riley Bradshaw, and Keith Steurer created the new Badger Build Makerspace. “We saw a real need to provide a hands-on learning space for our surrounding community members.” said Steurer. “Other spaces like this exist in larger communities, but, it’s rare for a rural area to have one. We wanted a space that could provide the surrounding communities with the opportunity to learn about design and experience the design process through creation.”

The makerspace also offers users the opportunity to earn competency-based certifications, called microcredentials. Users can build prototypes for business ideas or just experiment with new equipment that is otherwise inaccessible due to cost.

The makerspace has several pieces of equipment including a 3-D printer and a CNC router. “It’s a real win for our community to have a space like this. The makerspace allows users to test out equipment, make prototypes and launch ideas into reality.” said Pugmire.

For more information about the makerspace, including hours, visit snow.edu/makerspace.

The Makerspace can be used by students and community members.
Photo by Riley Bradshaw
Photo by Riley Bradshaw
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