Browsing completed makerspace examples can be a critical step in planning and designing your own space. Educators and community leaders alike can benefit from simply seeing what has succeeded for others.
Some elements that our favorite community and education makerspaces have in common is innovative equipment and furniture solutions. When planning a makerspace, we always recommend to:
- Consider your makerspace goals
- Consider your budget
- Consider your users
Ultimately, a makerspace should allow users to experiment and learn through hands-on activities and promote creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning. Below, virtually explore some school and community makerspaces that have hit those marks and provide a safe, engaging place for students and community members to imagine, invent, collaborate, and create.
Spark Innovation Center, Altavista, VA
The town of Altavista, Virginia housed its community makerspace in a historic firehouse (i.e. “Spark” in the name!) and is open to small business owners, creative minds, and entrepreneurs. The creative lab features equipment like 3D printers, laser engraver, t-shirt press, and industrial printer/cutter.
Western Maryland Works, Allegany College of Maryland
The makerspace at Western Maryland Works is a collaborative workspace that encourages creativity, innovation, exploration, and application of personalized learning strategies.
The makerspace houses a large commercial grade digital fabrication lab, 3D printing including commercial grade printers, CNC machining, and woodworking lab, all of which is available to the public, local businesses, and entrepreneurs.
Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship, Salisbury University
The Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship is SU’s downtown hub for innovation, ideas, and entrepreneurial development. The makerspace is a unique place where entrepreneurs of all ages can develop and innovate their ideas, as well as brand and market their products and learn new skills. The space accommodates robotics projects, small product assembly and technology-enhanced products with 3D prototyping, including a textile workshop for fashion and theatre productions.
NOVA Fab Lab, Northern Virginia Community College
A world-class maker and education facility, the NOVA Fab Lab aims to provide students a more holistic fabrication experience, including access to the most advanced fabrication processes, training in 3D modeling and design, and a foundation in the principles of design thinking and creative problem-solving to decrease the growing skills gap in the digital fabrication field.
The Velocity Center, College of Southern Maryland
The Makerspace at the CSM Velocity Center is collaborative community workspace for making, learning, exploring, and sharing. It is equipped with a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers/scanners, laser cutters, soldering irons and other additive and subtractive machines for manufacturing. It also includes hardware and software for cyber/gaming, CAD modeling, simulation, app development, robotics, and prototyping.
For more inspiration, browse our online portfolio of completed and installed makerspaces and labs.
