An Introduction to Maker Skills, Prototyping & Culture – Bring your ideas to life and make a difference in the world by exploring ideas, questions, problems, and potential solutions to solve a personal problem, or start an entrepreneurial venture. In this hands-on course, learners will use the Design Thinking process to identify problems, create possible solutions, develop a maker mindset, and learn technical skills that are useful in safely creating physical prototypes. Learners will receive training to achieve competency at an introductory level for maker skills like 3D Design, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Electronics (Arduino & IoT), Soldering, Website Creation, and Design Thinking methodology.
To encourage experimentation and risk-taking, this is a competency-based course, and a grade of Complete or Incomplete will be assigned for each assignment (along with constructive feedback) as well as a final Complete or Incomplete grade at the end of the course. No prerequisites or experience are required.
- Class Schedule
- Class Assignments
- Register Now! (registration closed)
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate the use of the Design Thinking process in identifying and solving problems
- Create a 3D design that is appropriate for 3D printing and 3D print the object
- For the major course project, identify a problem to solve which would be one of the following:
- A personal problem, -OR-
- An idea for an entrepreneurial venture, -OR-
- Pursue a passion, -OR-
- UN Sustainable Development Goal that the learner is interested in helping to solve
- Create a 2D or 3D design that is appropriate for laser cutting and laser cut the object
- Create an Arduino project to solve a problem
- Create an Internet of Things (IoT) electronic project to solve a problem
- Create a silicon mould of a small physical object and then cast resin in it
- Use soldering skills to connect wires, sensors, or input devices in the Arduino & IoT projects
- Develop a personal portfolio website to document skills learned and project milestones
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and intellectual property issues surrounding making
- Explain how makerspaces can be used in educational, prosocial, and entrepreneurial settings
- Complete a major project to help solve (1) a well-defined personal problem, -OR- (2) Sustainable Development Goal-related problem, -OR- (3) an entrepreneurial venture opportunity
Readings & Supplies
- All readings and instructional materials for this course will be freely downloadable through the public course website (Creative Commons licensed).
- The ability to bring a laptop to each class is highly desirable, but not required.
- Supplies: learners will be required to purchase a Prototyping Supplies & Electronics Kit to use to create their personal course-related projects. The cost of the kit is approximately $160.
