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Maker Studio | Curricular Integration
What We Offer
Assignment/ Project Development
We can work with you to explore opportunities for collaboration to achieve deep learning outcomes in creative ways.
Lectures
Teaching and active learning in classrooms, Maker Studio or other locations.
Customized Workshops
Any of our existing workshops customized for your class by our Maker Studio experts.
Workshops
Workshops to choose from that can be modified to align with assignments.
Software Instruction
Tutorials on Software typically used by students completing coursework using the Maker Studio tools and technologies.
Examples of Completed Projects
Faculty of Science and Technology
COMP 3553: Human Computer Interaction
Dr. Namrata Khemka-Dolan
Winter 2020
Project: Students applied the UX methodologies learned in the course to the development of a wearable technology prototype.
What we delivered in class time:
Hosted guest lecture with Make Fashion
Workshop on how to use Ada Fruit
Workshop on how to use Arduino in projects
Outside of class time:
We facilitated student’s research (including consultations with the Faculty Librarian) and development of prototypes including the use of electronics, sewing and 3D printing in the Maker Studio drop in hours
Student achievements:
Fashion show/ showcase presentations of student works such as wearable device that guides people through CPR to internal and external guests. Several students took their ideas to Launchpad and Science Research Days
Faculty of Health, Community and Education
EDUC4107 Program of Studies and Curriculum Instruction in Teaching Social Studies
Dr. Tanya Stogre and Craig Harding
Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Fall 2020
Project: Students evaluated the philosophy and intent of the Front Matter of the Social Studies Program of Studies and communicate this through
emerging processes, technologies, and reflected on the process in written form.
What we delivered in class time:
Orientation to the Maker Studio
Design Thinking: Ideation Session
Outside of class time:
We facilitated student’s research (including consultations with the Faculty Librarian) and development of prototypes including the use of all of the tools and technologies on the Maker Studio.
Student outcomes:
Students designed and developed artifacts such as quilts, jackets, toys and other objects and then presented these designs to peers, instructors, internal and external k-12 educators and invited guests at a showcase-style event.
Scholarly Research Title: Maker and Design Thinking in Social Studies Elementary Teacher Education
Research Lead: Dr Tanya Stogre
Collaborators: Kerry Harmer, Alice Swabey
Faculty of Arts
Psychology 3327 - Psychology of Sexuality
Dr. Evelyn Field
Fall, 2019, Fall 2020, Winter 2021
Project: Under the general concept of activism using craft and topics in sexuality, students developed a research theme to design a graphic that was printed onto t-shirts using the vinyl printer.
What we delivered in class time:
Craftivism, Culture jamming and semiotics presentation (in person delivery 2019)
Sex toy and domestic object mashup ideation workshop (in person delivery 2019)
Adobe Illustrator for graphic design, vinyl printing and cutting (in person delivery 2019)
T-Shirt Design in Canva workshop (online delivery 2020/21)
Outside of class time:
We facilitated student’s development of designs using the software to be printed and cut out using the vinyl printer cutter. We then taught students
how to use a heat press to transfer the images printed in the Maker Studio on to the t-shirts.
Student outcomes:
Students presented their research in exhibition style to peers, instructors and other guests.
Scholarly Research planned for 2021/22 Academic Year (TBC)
Research Lead: Dr Evelyn Field
Collaborator: Kerry Harmer and Student assistants (TBC)
Faculty of Business and Communications
SINV 4402 Human Centred Design for Social Impact.
Catherine Ziff
Fall, 2019
Project: Students developed assistive devices using the Maker Studio tools and technologies to help people with disabilities.
What we delivered in class time:
Hackathon in partnership with the community organization Maker Making
Change
Universal Design Lecture
Design Thinking: Ideation methods
Final Critique participation
Outside of class time:
We facilitated student’s development of prototypes of assistive devices using a variety of tools and technologies in the Maker Studio such teaching 3D modelling and 3D printing.
Student outcomes:
Using the Human Centred Design process students designed assistive devices to share on the Makers Making Change open access web platform
for people with needs to be able to access the designs, manufacture at local facilities and use.
Faculty Expression of Interest
Deep Learning Takes Time and Planning
The Creative Process: The creative process takes time involving:
- Preparation: Research into the problem you are solving (problem definition).
Incubation: Analyze the information, define the goal (concept development).
- Illumination: Ideation and planning (sketching).
- Implementation: Prototype and make the idea (iteration).
Making takes time: Understanding the process for making with the tools includes:
- Orientation to the space and tools.
- Choose and purchase materials.
- Test the materials with the tool, make an initial version.
- Adjust the design and make the final version.
Creating and Making leads to deep learning opportunities for students:
- Realizing ideas through the creative process and making demonstrates originality, creativity, problem solving, communication, failing forward, innovation and experiential (and sometimes transformational) learning.
- Learning the software or tool required for making builds digital literacies. Learning one software builds confidence and capacity to learn others.
- Allocating the appropriate amount of time for the project leads to the best outcomes for students and the ability for them to think critically about what is being made.
Motivation:
- The Maker Studio experience has demonstrated an increase in intrinsic motivation for students to be more personally involved and complete projects on time. Students are encouraged to create their own digital files and if using designs created by others, students should be cited or attributing appropriately.
- Students are also motivated and their time management can be improved by scafolded deadlines and grades. Consider allocating grades for parts of the process so that the instructor can keep track of progress and provide feedback and input on the project throughout. Even small allocations of grades motivate students to be better prepared and manage their time better for success. See the example of grade allocations for the project process in Appendix B.
Prepared students make this process more successful and it is easier for us to provide the best service and assistance possible. Students are encouraged to:
- Consult with Maker Studio staff early in the ideation and planning process.
- Participate in orientations, workshops and tutorials to help in understanding the capabilities of the tools.
- Access the resources provided on the website eg. Orientation Documents, Guidelines, Procedures, Tutorials, and Health and
Safety Information. - Sign the Waiver (linked on the website and in the sign-in form in the Maker Studio).
- Arrive with a developed idea, a sketch, a rendering, a model, a design, some materials, knowledge of the capabilities of the
tool, and an understanding of scale (how big do you want it?). Allocate time to consult with Maker Studio staff. If a student shows up last minute, there might be a queue for assistance. - Allocate time for things to fail, go wrong, not work out as anticipated, break or be incredible and want to make more of them.
Collaborate With Us
1
Book a consultation meeting with the Maker Studio Specialist to come up with ideas, identify learning objectives, timelines etc.
2
Complete the Curricular Integration with the Maker Studio Agreement.
3
Submit the Syllabus and Project Outline for the Course.
4
Faculty and students must sign the Waiver of Liability.
5
Faculty and students must read the Guidelines for the Maker Studio.
6
Complete the Maker Studio Faculty Feedback Form.
7
Send the General Feedback Form to students.
Student Experience
Technology
The Maker Studio provides up-to-date technology for design, creative thinking and making. This supports experiential learning opportunities through making in a learning space that supports transformational experiences. Using the Maker Studio and its staff allows students to experiment and learn in and beyond the classroom supporting an exceptional undergraduate educational experience at MRU.
Skills
Students will engage in hands-on projects and can develop a large range of 21 st Century skills and competencies such as; Fundamental Skills and Cognitive Abilities, Content Skills, Personal Management Skills, Process Skills, Systems Skills, Complex Problem Solving, Resource Management Skills, Teamwork Skills, Physical Skills, Technical skills and Digital Literacies, Innovation Skills.
Please refer to the Maker Competencies listed on the website (Lib Guide coming soon).
Contact
Appendix
Readymade Workshops and Presentations List (last updated April, 2021)
The vast majority of these workshops were developed for, and taught in curricular in a variety of disciplines. Detailed descriptions of these will be available on the website (coming soon)
Orientations in the Maker Studio
- Orientation to the Maker Studio
- 3D Printing Orientation in the Maker Studio
- Cutting Tools Orientation in the Maker Studio
- Sewing/ Embroidery Machine Orientation in the Maker Studio
- Electronics and Robotics Orientation in the Maker Studio
Software Workshops
- 3D Modelling: Tinkercad (beginner)
- 3D Modeling: Code Blocks in Tinkercad (procedural modelling) (beginner)
- 3D modelling: Z-Brush (intermediate)
- 3D modelling: Fusion 360 (intermediate)
- Graphic Design: Logo Design in Illustrator for Branding (beginner)
- Graphic Design: Convert an Image to be usable on the Maker Studio tools (beginner)
- Graphic Design: T-shirt design in Canva (beginner)
- Graphic Design: Design a Button in Illustrator (beginner)
Electronics, Robotics and Programming Workshops
- Learn Programming: Python (intermediate)
- Learn Programming: Literacy, the theory behind programming (beginner)
- Learn Programming: Arduino in Tinkercad (beginner)
- Learn Programming: Scratch (beginner)
- Learn Programming: LittleBits (beginner)
- Electronics: Circuitry Prototyping- Tinkercad (beginner)
- Electronics: Paper Circuits (beginner)
- Electronics: LittleBits (beginner)
- Electronics: Makey Makey (beginner)
- Electronics: Breadboards (beginner)
- Robotics: Lego NXT (beginner)
- Wearable Technology: Circuit Playground Express (beginner)
- Micro computing: Raspberry Pi (beginner)
- Artificial Intelligence: Introduction (beginner)
- Artificial Intelligence: Machine learning (beginner)
- Artificial Intelligence: GANS (beginner)
- Artificial Intelligence: Neural Networks (beginner)
Design and Creativity Workshops
- Design Thinking: Introduction (beginner)
- Design Thinking: Empathy Building in the Maker Studio (beginner)
- Design Thinking: Problem definition (beginner)
- Design Thinking: Divergent Thinking- Creativity and Ideation (beginner)
- Design Thinking: Creativity- Getting Unstuck (beginner)
- Design Thinking: Journey mapping (beginner)
- Design Thinking: Prototyping (beginner)
- Craftivism: Making for Social Impact (beginner)
- Team Building with the Maker Studio (beginner)
- Product Development: Introduction (beginner)
- Storytelling: Introduction (beginner)
Tool Specific Workshops
- 3D printing: Introduction (beginner)
- 3D printing: Software settings for successful prints (beginner)
- 3D printing: Professional finishing (beginner)
- 3D Scanning: Introduction (beginner)
- Laser Cutting: Introduction (beginner)
- CNC Carving: Easel software (beginner)
- Sewing Machine: The basics- making a tote bag (beginner)
Wellness Through Creativity Workshops
- Making Affirmations for Achieving Success (beginner)
- Wellness: Knitting for Wellness (beginner)
Sample Maker Studio Project Grade Breakdown
Research component (% Grade allocated)
Submission of an annotated bibliography, citations, or research paper.
Ideation sketches and concept development (% Grade allocated)
Sketches, mind maps or other visual representation of idea generation.
Work with Maker Studio % Grade allocated
This could involve taking a workshop, one-on-one with staff consultations, accessing documents available from the Maker Studio. This could also involve project planning/ process of making and documentation or reflection on that process or experience.
Final object and object documentation % Grade allocated
This can be the actual object, video, or a photograph of the object.