MAKERSPACE MCCCD S ENTREPRENEURIAL AND INGENUITY CENTER

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1 MCCCD Workforce Skills - Design Thinking Executive Summary GateWay is building an Arts & Sciences Makerspace for technology-based creations. It includes digital graphics, design, and other fine arts for small business entrepreneurs who want to make something and sell it. Having access to the tools and equipment that can result in product development and translate into real income, can profoundly change people's lives. For those who are on the cutting-edge of Research and Development, the space offers exclusive programming designed to enhance the skills required to conceive, design, build and test new product ideas. Students and entrepreneurs typically do not have access to design process programming or opportunities to develop and test new ideas. The Makerspace will benefit students and entrepreneurs by providing access to tools and equipment that is otherwise unreachable by individuals due to cost. Users will also benefit by developing problem solving skills a key skill set in today s marketplace. Nature of the Project The Makerspace has been designed and will be implemented to foster community involvement and teaching & learning in a robust, engaging environment that emphasizes Design Thinking through hands-on, project-based learning experiences. There are insufficient employees who really possess the soft skill of problem solving, which makes it challenging for business managers to retain these individuals. -makerspaceforeducation.com By focusing on Design Thinking, a methodology that teaches the solving of complex problems through ideation and iteration, the Makerspace is a place where students will learn how to be the innovators of the future. Hands-on application of coursework not only enhances learning, but gives students a reason to learn more. Though Design Thinking, students learn to discover and articulate problems worth solving, craft well-designed critical questions, establish targeted criteria, and use a systems approach to problemsolving that is multi-dimensional and human-centered. The outcomes of this learning are innovative career and life skills that separate those students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments from those who are not. The space will differentiate learners from makers, by translating Design Thinking principles through project-based learning that results in the following employability skills: Creativity and Innovation Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

2 Communication Collaboration Flexibility and Adaptability Initiative and Self-Direction Social and Cross-Cultural Skills Productivity and Accountability Leadership and Responsibility These skills are critical in today s workplace and in the workplace of the future where change is constant and learning never stops. All employers, regardless of industry, seek employees with this skill set. Making is innovative and resourceful. It is the approach though which the learning is achieved. The learning of these critical workplace skills is the Makerspace s differentiator its competitive advantage that distinguishes it from other makerspaces in the Valley.

3 Statement of Need & Opportunity The Makerspace moves MCCCD closer to its goal of meeting the economic, workforce and education needs of Maricopa County employers and residents. It serves this need because it provides a novel venue that increases student engagement and retention, while building critical workplace skills. This project also delivers on the vision of the Maricopa Community Colleges to provide opportunities to the community. The Governing Board's Strategic Commitments focus on Workforce and Economic Development, and Innovation. The Makerspace supports these commitments and serves the mission of MCCCD. Project Description As the hub of innovation in MCCCD, the Makerspace goes beyond an introduction to basic tools and creating goods. It provides a baseline of training for individuals that they can further through a program of study and/or move into a new career path based on the skills that are obtained. As an educational space, the Makerspace serves as extension of the classroom. A place where students will complete course projects, perform experiments, and collaborate on teams bringing different perspectives to concepts and solutions. It is also the vehicle through which Design Thinking occurs across disciples and industry sectors at MCCCD. The focal points of the Makerspace are: 1) Venture Start-Up: Design and media applications that provide students and entrepreneurs access to production tools beyond what is found on a college campus. These tools include digital environments of simulation, graphics, and modeling software; and a manufacturing space with 3D printing, metal cutting, welding, woodworking, plastics and other technologies that are heavily relied upon in industry. 2) Prototyping for Entrepreneurs (Innovation Lab): A recurring curriculum of workshop topics that introduces participants to design thinking, the prototyping process, new product concept validation, design for manufacturability, and other tops on innovation and entrepreneurship. Expanded access to expert mentors from the CEI and access to business counselors and designers will provide much needed, early-stage design input in areas such as software application design, electronics design, and intellectual property protection. 3) Design Thinking: For MCCCD Students: Working with faculty, a train-the-trainer model will be implemented at the colleges to train faculty on the principles of Design Thinking and ways in which to apply the principles in the classroom (without changing curriculum) and achieve the outcomes through project-based learning experiences conducted at the Makerspace. For Industry: A series of workshops will be developed and offered to industry to teach the local workforce Design Thinking principles. Special emphasis will be placed on providing Design Thinking training as a benefit to employees/employers aligned with MCCCD Transformation Industry Clusters.

4 Objectives Why? 1. Create an inspiring place & program where creative and entrepreneurial-minded students and individuals access the design talent, manufacturing tools, and business mentoring to generate, build, and validate innovative new products and technologies. 2. Deliver on industry desire to develop creative problem-solving skills of current and future employees. 3. Support entrepreneurship city-wide by providing product design assistance, business education, and access to prototyping and production equipment to plan, build, and test new product concepts. This continues MCCCD s commitment as a driving force for economic and workforce development. 4. Serve as a connecting hub for MCCCD-wide student entrepreneurship and STEAM-based instructional approaches that enhance teaching and learning through innovative engagement of students - leading to greater student recruitment and retention. 5. Provide a venue for entrepreneurial events that increase the awareness of the colleges and position MCCCD as a destination of choice in the community. Entrepreneurs save 95-98% of their development costs by using a Makerspace to make their initial products. A 98% reduction in the cost of launching a product or company, means that what used to cost $10,000 now costs $2,000. Access to a Makerspace moves something from being hard or impossible to being possible. -The Maker Movement Manifesto-

5 Makerspace tools (digital & physical) to design, build, and test new products Training on concept validation, product design and entrepreneurship Venture incubation in the arts & sciences Leverage market in Design Thinking & workforce development Access to mentors, counselors and designers Venue for events pitch competitions, hackathons, design days Support integration of STEAM concepts across the curricula, class projects, etc. Venture Start Up Prototyping for Entrepreneurs Design Thinking User Groups 1. MCCCD 2. Industry Institutes 3. ASU 4. Entrepreneurs 5. Public

6 Target Market(s)/User Groups The Makerspace, by design, is intended to be flexible and accommodating to a diverse group of users who will be prioritized as follows, noting that the space can comfortably accommodate a maximum of 125 users at a given time. Reservation scheduling software will need to be used to show when classes are scheduled to be in the space and when certain pieces of equipment are unavailable/available due to student use. 1. MCCCD Students (1,000 annually) will use the space for course-driven projects and assignments. Assume 100 students per college per academic year. All MCCCD students will have a membership to the space for use outside of class time. They will be treated as regular members during public hours of operation. 2. ASU Students (250 annually) will use the space for project-based activities and communityengaged programs through the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. They will be treated as regular members during public hours of operation. 3. Entrepreneurs 32 small business entrepreneurs will participate in the Innovation Lab design process program each year. 4. Employees/Employers Through Design Thinking workshop series, employees as individuals and/or employers may send employees to the space for the training. (Industry Institutes) 5. General Public Purchase memberships, attend workshops and be in the space during public hours of operation. The public will reserve access to certain pieces of equipment. Methods Makerspace tools (digital & physical) to design, build, and test new products Training on concept validation, product design and entrepreneurship Venture incubation in the arts & sciences Leverage market in Design Thinking & workforce development Access to mentors, counselors and designers Venue for events pitch competitions, hackathons, design days Support integration of STEAM concepts across the curricula, class projects, etc. The opportunity exists to deepen the involvement of making into education, so that students are prepared to succeed in a world and master technologies that don t yet exist. Promote and nurture a growth mindset. Identify, develop and share a broad framework of projects based on a wide range of tools and materials that connect to student learning outcomes and/or job skills. These projects are to be faculty-led so that they are appropriately incorporated into coursework link the practice of making to formal concepts and theory; support discovery and exploration while

7 introducing new tools and technologies for advanced design and new ways of thinking about making. Foster in students the full capacity, creativity and confidence to be agents of change personally, professionally and in the community. Design and host online social platforms for collaboration among students, teachers and the community. K-12 pathway programming and summer camp opportunities. Operations, Safety & Infrastructure Daily Operations Initially, the Makerspace will be open six days per week to include both Saturday and Sunday. Exact times are TBD. MCCCD students will use student ID badges to check-in to the facility ASU students will be use student ID badges to check-in to the facility Community members will be given an ID badge to check-in to the facility Orientation to the Makerspace will be developed and required prior to permitting access to the facility to any users. Orientation will be offered in person at the Makerspace at scheduled times and will be offered in an on-line format. Orientation will be managed to ensure completion via a membership ID. Safety Training Safety in the space is a top-priority. Certain equipment in the space to include the wood shop, glass shop, heaving machining, and welding (not inclusive) will require users to complete a specific safety training course prior to receiving permission to use the equipment independently. Safety training courses will be offered weekly, with schedule adjustments to be made depending on attendance and demand. Train-the-Trainer options are being considered for MCCCD faculty so that students can be prepared to operate machinery. A safety test will be administered by faculty and Makerspace staff when students utilize the space for the first time. Some equipment may require multiple safety trainings/checks before independent use is permitted. Safety reminders will be posted throughout the Makerspace and users will be expected to keep work areas clean in order to limit hazards. Signage will also be posted on each machine explaining its ideal use and key safety tips. Safety consumables such as goggles, ear plugs, gloves, etc. will be available for purchase should users not have their own. A safety plan for the space will be developed to include a description of the exhibit or demonstration, the names, qualifications and previous experience of the people working the exhibit, a description of general safety precautions, and an emergency plan.

8 Staffing / Administration The Makerspace project will be championed by GateWay Community College leadership, to include oversight of program operations and staff. Staff will include: Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) administrative team support Program Director (product design expertise required) Oversees special events, recruits member and sponsors, responsible for budget and staff management, conducts orientation and safety training, oversees workshop planning, offerings and schedule Site Manager - Controls access to the facility and knows about the usage and safety of tools in the shop, manages purchasing, supervises lab staff, manages equipment reservations, conducts orientation and safety training, manages and coordinates workshops including procurement and instructors Design & Lab equipment staff Assists users with equipment use, conducts specialized equipment safety training, provides technology design consultation Marketing & Events Builds and manages website and social media; markets for events, corporate retreats, etc. and coordinates logistics and follow-through, assists with sponsorship execution Evaluation of Impact The success of the Makerspace will be evaluated as follows: Student Utilization Faculty Engagement Entrepreneurship Utilization Event Attendance Small Business Start-Ups Job Creation Recruitment & Retention Industry Track student utilization rates for project-based learning Identify faculty leaders in STEAM and project-based instruction Track small business utilization rates of resources & Innovation Lab participants Report on number and size of events hosted Track student and small business generated startups Track job creation by small business and corporate participants Survey students during college enrollment periods Number of business partners that use the space & number of employees engaged in Design Thinking workshop series