In a nutshell, Makerspaces provide a unique opportunity for students to be creative, innovative and allow them to learn from each other. They promote multidisciplinary collaboration by offering, in addition to standard machine shop tools, access to high precision 3D printers, laser cutters, and other types of high tech equipment.

As makerspaces have become more popular at colleges and universities, it is important for institutions to further discuss how we can ensure that these spaces remain as safe as possible for faculty, staff, and students. It is hoped that this discussion will spark collaborative efforts with various educational institutions across the country. The panelists will include Dr. Jerel Harris, Georgia Institute of Technology, Matthew Reka, from the University of Michigan, and Brandon Foskey from the University of Georgia.