MakerSpace

All currently enrolled Sierra College students are welcome, as well as Sierra College faculty and staff. It is not open to the public, including friends and family not enrolled or employed at Sierra College.

The MakerSpace is a free resource for currently enrolled Sierra College students, as well as Sierra College faculty and staff.

As for supplying your own materials, the answer to this depends on a variety of factors. Please come and meet with a MakerSpace coach to discuss your project and materials needed.

While we try to provide basic materials, if you want to use something specific, we would ask that you provide it. This includes providing your own shirts, hats and/or fabric.

If you are producing something for a Sierra College club, your own small business, or if you plan to use a lot of material, you will need to supply your own materials so that everyone in the MakerSpace has the same opportunities and access to our supplies and materials.

No prior experience or knowledge is needed.

The MakerSpace is here to expose and teach you the fundamentals of using the machines. Our coaches will slowly teach you what you need to know each time you visit. We’ll help you learn through repetition and by slowly adding more steps along the way so you can easily retain and build on what you’ve learned.

We do not certify anyone on our equipment.

Instead, you will work with a coach every time you want to do a project. This is how we provide education to each MakerSpace visitor. The more proficient you become using the equipment, the less coaching you will likely need.

The only equipment you will need special training on is the equipment in the Fabrication Shop (better known as the Fab Shop). Each piece of equipment requires an in-person “Driver Test” to check that you know the basic anatomy of the machine and safety procedures to best ensure your safety.

For your safety and protection in the Fab Shop, you must wear:

• Z87+ safety glasses at all times
• Closed-toed shoes
• Full-length leg coverings (no loose, baggy or dangly articles of clothing)

You do not need to have your own computer or software. We want the MakerSpace to be as accessible as possible so we have computers with the necessary equipment available for you to use.

As for the type of software we use, that is more complicated to answer. Each process or equipment has its own workflow. Generally speaking, we use Fusion 360 as our CAD software for engineering designing and Adobe Illustrator for graphic design. From those two software, we can proceed to almost any machine.

Yes, of course! We are not just for equipment usage. If you do not mind the noise, we provide a great place to spend time between classes for group collaboration or to study. You never know who you might meet or what you might be inspired by when you are here.

There are no overall safety requirements for being in the MakerSpace, but specific safety instructions are provided before using individual machines.

The only place that has set safety standards is the Fabrication Shop (also known as the Fab Shop or Wood Shop). To use the Fab Shop, you will need to pass an in-person safety test on each piece of equipment you plan to use.

For your safety and protection in the Fab Shop, you must wear:

• Z87+ safety glasses at all times
• Closed-toed shoes
• Full-length leg coverings (no loose, baggy or dangly articles of clothing)

Yes. We know some projects are too large or tedious to take with you every time you want to work on them. We provide lockers and shelves. You will need to provide your own lock for the lockers.

No. MakerSpace equipment stays inside the MakerSpace. We are a resource for all students and want all students to have the opportunity to access and use the equipment.