The SU Library Makerspace, an innovation space for students to invent, design and create, has been completed and will open its doors to the student community on 1 April 2021.
The makerspace is a collaborative workspace that facilitates learning, exploring, sharing of ideas and manufacturing of items that require the use of high tech and other tools. This is the third makerspace that will open on the Stellenbosch University campus. The other makerspace environments are located at the SU Launchlab and at the Lenslab in the Visual Arts building.
At the recent launch event, Ms Ellen Tise, Senior Director: Library and Information Service, said the idea to introduce such an innovative space into the library was born five years ago, when the Library symposium hosted a presentation titled “Makerspaces: a great opportunity to enhance academic libraries".
Tise, along with her team, then committed to developing the makerspace, and worked closely with Facilities Management to make it a reality. Construction was completed last year, and this year the installation and testing of high-level equipment took place. The idea is that the vibrant and user-friendly facility will empower students.
“The makerspace is the library's contribution to SU's core strategic objectives of enhancing not only a transformative experience for students and networked and collaborative learning, but also supporting the academic library's reputation as a support service for innovation, creativity and excellence," said Tise.
Mr Norman Hebler, head of the makerspace, said the equipment is spread out between design and construction workspaces, and tool benches. Students will be able to create from conceptual design to rapid prototyping of products.
Students making use of the makerspace will have access to equipment such as 3D printers, 3D scanning, microcontrollers such as an Arduino Uno or microprocessors such as a Raspberry Pi, breadboards for prototyping electronic circuits, sensors, soldering stations, oscilloscopes, and high-end computers that have a variety of software to aid the design process.
A booking facility will be available for students to reserve a design or construction workstation and to book the tools and equipment needed for a session. Bookings for a tour or a training session can be done via the Library training and Makerspace training calendar to learn how to optimally use makerspace equipment and tools.
Contact Norman Hebler for further details about the SU Library Makerspace.
Main picture: Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, stands with Ms Ellen Tise, Senior Director of SU Library and Information Service.
Group of guests at the launch of Makerspace and Prof De Villiers with one of the made articles.
Single photos of Norman Hebler.
Photographer: Hennie Rudman
