The 4 components of Case Western Reserve University’s successful makerspace

Hands-on learning has long been a central component of many students’ higher education experience, especially in science and technology. In fact, a handful of campuses have established formal spaces to enable students to transform their ideas into objects, irrespective of program. Commonly known as makerspaces, these areas have a variety of modern, high-tech tools inviting students to experiment and innovate.

Unlike existing labs or studios, makerspaces are not dedicated to a specific program. They are accessible to the entire campus, incorporating equipment and tools from multiple disciplines to facilitate self-directed learning and creation. Engineers, designers, and business students can use the same space to work on a common project, which better promotes interdisciplinary collaboration.