Building an entrepreneurial and innovative culture in a university makerspace

This paper reports on the first nine months of a new makerspace, with a focus on student perception of the space and the development of a community of practice. A mixed method approach-a survey, in situ observations, and interviews-was used to assess the space. Staff, faculty, and student involvement are reported. Student led training sessions and workshops, with varying levels of participation, are documented to develop best practices. Qualitative and quantitative data show that a true community of practice has yet to emerge, but many elements are present in the space. First semester attendance indicates that over half the population of the school of engineering uses the space and diversity of use is growing. Integration into the curriculum of several departments is planned as the space will grow into a resource to supplement engineering design education. An iterative approach was used for the design of the space, and this approach is continued as the community and culture of the makerspace develops.