Author Archives: Angela Vanden Elzen

Maker Literacies Project and Lesson Plans

We had the amazing opportunity to work with the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries for the second phase of the IMLS Maker Literacies project. For our part, three of our faculty at Lawrence University who were interested in using the makerspace with their courses created maker assignments using UTA’s Maker Competencies. As an academic makerspace, we’re thrilled that UTA has not only made the competencies available, but they’ve made a directory of course assignments available as well!

The Assignments from Lawrence University faculty

All Course Lesson Plans

  • Filter lesson plans by maker competencies, discipline, partner, or year, or just browse the list at the Lesson Plans page.

Maker Competencies List

  • Scroll through the Maker Competencies list to view each literacy along with subcomponents to further define each one. These competencies can easily be tied to course learning goals and outcomes and can be easily assessed at the end of the assignment.

We’re so grateful for the partners at the UTA Libraries, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and University of Nevada Reno for taking on this large project and sharing so all academic and educational makerspaces could benefit!

Academic Makerspace Course Uses 2022

Learn about the cool stuff that students and faculty have been making in our academic makerspace in our summer coffeehouse presentation! Our makerspace is located in the library of a small liberal arts campus and serves all academic departments.

Go to the Makerspace Coffeehouse 2022 presentation

Contact us a makerspace@lawrence.edu if you’d like to talk academic makerspaces!

Reducing Waste in a Makerspace

To remind students to think sustainably while thinking creatively, we created this sign for the space.

Text reads:

IN OUR MAKERSPACE, WE
REDUCE:

  • Take care of materials and supplies to reduce waste.
  • This means putting filament in bags with ends secured to reduce filament spoilage and tangles, which leads to bad prints.
  • Put supplies back where you found them. This prevents loss, duplicates, and keeps things from getting broken.
  • Use just what you need. Mistakes and drafts are an important part of the making process, but be mindful.
  • Measure twice when needed and double-check machines, materials, and your project before starting.

REUSE:

  • Use scraps when possible- we have fabric, wood, acrylic, and more scraps around the space for your creative inspiration.
  • Failed 3D print? Try to find a new use for it! If you can’t but you think someone else could, put it in the failed prints box.
  • Use the sewing machines to mend or upcycle your clothes or thrifted clothes.
  • Use the other materials in the space to fix your broken items.

RECYCLE:

  • Place recyclable materials in the marked recycling bin in the makerspace. This includes paper, cardboard, and plastic (rinsed out, if necessary).
  • Plastic bags and other plastic film as well as batteries can be recycled in the library entryway.

Lawrence University Makerspace | blogs.lawrence.edu/makerspace | @lawrenceuni_makerspace on Instagram

Makerspace in the News

Our awesome Communications department has been putting together some great content about the makerspace!

Video: This is Lawrence- Makerspace

Blog Post: 2 Minutes With… Kelvin Maestre

Kelvin Maestre ’21, watches as a laser cutter starts its work on a piece of wood in the Makerspace on the first floor of the Seeley G. Mudd Library. (Photo by Danny Damiani)

Thanks to our Communications friends for helping us spread the news about the Lawrence University Makerspace!