Innovate & Make Space starts to take shape

Over the past three months, several art classrooms at Lamar Community College have found new life in the exciting addition of high-tech equipment including a laser cutter, two 3-D printers, a desktop CNC milling machine, a vinyl cutter, a heat press, and a router table.  These additions are thanks to a new project: LCC Innovate & Make SpaceLeveraging Tools, Technology and Ideas to Grow People, Jobs and Communities.

The Innovate & Make Space (I&MS or maker space, for short), is the result of a Colorado Community College System Innovation Grant.  Beginning this fall, LCC students and community members will have the opportunity to enroll in courses utilizing the maker space, which is located in the east wing of the Betz Technology Center, primarily in Betz Room 100.

The goal of the space is to develop a facility in which students, faculty, and community members will use high-tech tools and technology to turn their ideas into real-life products.

“People often have ideas but don’t know where to take them, or who to talk to, to see if it is something that could become a valid product,” said Dave Schlueter of Career & Technical Training.  “Here you can come with your ideas and get a little help taking your idea from a drawing on a napkin to a computer-aided (CAD) program, develop a prototype in the software to produce a three-dimensional model, and see whether it works or not.  Can it be designed? Can it work?”

“You could also think of this as a dreamer space,” Schlueter said.  “If you’ve ever thought of something before, but didn’t think you’d ever see it show up in the real world, this is the space that can help you make it a reality.”

Schlueter was recently on campus at Lamar Community College helping to train faculty, staff, and community volunteers on the equipment.  In addition to training on the technical aspects of the machinery, those learning were also able to try out their ideas and figure out what all it was possible to create.

“We’ve been figuring out this machinery together,” Laura Misenheimer said.  “It’s a very creative and collaborative process.  Each person has their strengths, so we’ve been talking to each other and explaining how different things have worked for us.”

Misenheimer was hired as the Innovate & Make Space Manager back in April of this year and has been working quickly since then to make the project a reality.

She initially began by assessing the available rooms and then cleaning and streamlining the spaces to incorporate the new equipment as well as the people who will be utilizing the space, but she has also done the purchasing of equipment and materials as well as set up the trainings.

Misenheimer is excited to see the space come together as well as where it will go moving forward.

“Every maker space is different depending on the community it’s involved in,” she said.  “It all depends on who is using the space and what they are interested in, so this could evolve and grow depending on the people to use it.  We want to tap into the community and see what their needs are – to grow and bring them along with us.”

The College will integrate appropriate existing and new credit and non-credit programs, courses, and curriculum into the Innovate & Make Space, with welding, construction trades, commercial sewing, and art courses beginning this fall. Plans are currently being developed for how the space will be available to the public.

The I&MS project is the result of a collaboration in which LCC and key economic development groups, community leaders, and K-12 superintendents worked to identify ways to collaborate to adapt and thrive in a struggling economy.  The main goal is to develop a facility in which students, faculty, and community members will use high-tech tools, technology, and ideas to develop and make collaborative projects using industry-validated, competency-based instruction in advanced manufacturing and construction technologies, including apparel and sewn-goods manufacturing.

Misenheimer added to this saying, “We want to get people exposed to different ideas, to let them know what all is out there.  It would be awesome for someone to design and develop a million dollar idea like the fidget spinner while using the maker space.”

In an exciting development, the focus of the space has broadened to include not just science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas, but will now include visual and commercial arts as well, making the new space a place for STEAM. By including the visual and commercial arts in the same space, the college will be able to expand offerings for students and the community.

Many of the processes involved in the I&MS are creative.  This machinery makes it possible to print a photo on a piece of wood or create 3-D printed sculptures – both of which were done during the two-day training.

Ultimately, the LCC I&MS will connect high-quality academic and CTE programs at the college and high school level with competency-based assessment, a maker space, small and medium-sized industries, local governments and school districts, and Prowers Economic Prosperity.  All to improve student engagement, community entrepreneurship, as well as retention and success in existing and developing programs at Lamar Community College.

But the work is far from finished.

“We plan to add some new equipment including industrial sewing machines and a plasma cutter,” Misenheimer said.   “We are also looking for a few dedicated to become Master Certified Volunteers, who will serve as support to people using the maker space.”

These Master Certified Volunteers will aid, support, and encourage students and community members in creating their own projects from start to finish.  There will be a selection process for each volunteer and a background check may be required.  To see all responsibilities, qualifications and benefits, visit www.lamarcc.edu/innovate.  Applications are due as soon as possible.

For more information regarding the LCC Innovate & Make Space, contact Laura Misenheimer at 719.336. or laura.misenheimer@lamarcc.edu.

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