We are often in makerspaces, and we get to hear the highs and lows of our makerspace clients. One of the challenges we sometimes hear about is attracting students into the makerspace for the first time.
The thing is, students come back when they've had a good experience. When they realize not only how much they can do, but also how fun it is, the makerspace naturally becomes a central part of their academics.
But how do you get them in for that first good experience? Following are some tips.
What's your current reality? Which students currently use your makerspace? Often you'll find it's a certain discipline or even a particular teacher that is driving foot traffic to your makerspace.
And who are you wanting to add? For example, a university client whose makerspace users were mainly in engineering promoted a holiday-themed project to attract a more general audience.
Another client set up a screen-printing machine, and offered a free t-shirt to anyone who wanted to customize one for themselves. The result was that students would come for the free t-shirt, and discover 3D printers, laser cutters, and all the other marvelous offerings in the makerspace.
Reach out to student groups. Offer targeted workshops. For example, a language-centered group may be interested in learning to leverage 3D printers for storytelling - like they did at Emory University; you can read their story here.
Where do your students hang out digitally? You might not be able to be everywhere but choose a social media platform your students typically use, and hang out there with them. Start to develop a hashtag they can use when they share photos of their finished projects. This is today’s equivalent of word-of-mouth.
As mentioned above, open houses and orientation sessions can be a great way to broaden your user reach. Another benefit is that if you have your students run them, they are reinforcing their own learning.
In fact, some of our clients create user groups that include running workshops. Teaching others becomes a way for students to gain access to more 3D printing features or specialized machines.
Having staff intentionally include makerspace projects in their coursework is a great way to get students in that first time. Again, take a look at staff who are already doing this. Could they become a makerspace ambassador to other teachers? Ask them to talk to other staff members about the positive experiences their students are having with hands-on learning.
The makerspace needs to be welcoming for both staff and students. Remember, even if you're comfortable among all the tools and equipment, some of your students may never have held a hammer before. Let alone approach CNC machines, laser cutters, and 3D printers!
Finally, use analytics to make data-based decisions. Are there students who come in for the first time but can't find an available 3D printer? Or are certain times of the week more conducive to a meet-and-greet style open house?
Take a good look at how these first experiences go, so the students head off to their friends with a positive story to tell.
And if you'd like a demo of how our software is managing the 3D print queues of makerspaces around the world, just reach out. We'll be glad to help!
Learn more about 3DPrinterOS - the most trusted 3D printing management software for Higher Education, Enterprises and OEMs. Fill out this form to get in touch with our experts.
Manage the workflow and permissions for your users
Share files and 3D printers to groups of users
Control your 3D printer fleet through a browser
Cloud slicer and toolpath viewer
Book your personalized assessment now and get your free trial.
