Amanda Ervin, Union College
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Makerspaces offer a great deal of hands on skill building for young engineers. Makerspaces are typically built around digital fabrication tools like 3D printing and laser cutting, but can certainly extend to sewing, electronics, rotocasting, woodworking and machinery. Having these tools on hand and ready to use gives all students the opportunity to apply the skills they are learning in their disciplined curriculums. One question that has come up many times, asked by higher ed schools from across the country, is “How do we get this into our curriculum when ABET standards don’t leave much room?”. I am proposing a discussion group that will brainstorm ways to solve this problem. Some solutions have included two 101 level courses, simultaneously taught. One is taught traditionally, one integrates Maker skills, and both are assessed. Another proposed solution is Maker Labs/ Badges, that will be brief (3-6 hours), will not be for credit, but will be prerequisites for classes that require these hands on skills. Finally, team teaching, and sharing these responsibilities across disciplines, minimizing the workload for each other. This discussion will address these solutions as viable possibilities as well as addressing any new possibilities introduced during the discussion.