Ways Makerspace Brings System Change To Your Community

Today’s makerspaces are much more than a collection of machines and tools; they are dynamic learning environments supporting collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving.?

Makerspace brings system change to your community. It is not just a place where you can make things but also create new opportunities for community members to learn new skills, solve problems, and build a sustainable future together. You might think makerspaces are for people who like to tinker with DIY projects on the weekend or crochet afghans, and these assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth.?

Makerspaces have the power to change lives in very positive ways.

What is System Change?

System change is a broad term for any action altering how an organisation or society operates. System change can be disruptive, but it can also be transformative. When we talk about system change, we refer to many different actions and initiatives. These might include organisational changes (such as new leadership and new structures), technological advances (such as new software), social movements (such as a political uprising), or even shifts in public opinion (such as the rise of environmental awareness). Although system change can be disruptive and even painful at times, it’s essential for organisations and societies to engage in system change if they want to stay relevant and thrive in today’s world. System change isn’t easy, but it’s worth it if you want to create a real impact.

Enable Learning and Development

A makerspace is where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn new skills and develop their knowledge and potential. It can provide a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can get hands-on experience in STEAM-related fields and discover potential careers they may not have considered.?

Makerspace can support lifelong learning by providing a Space for Collaboration In many makerspaces, individuals gather around tables, benches, or workstations that encourage collaboration.?

This might be where a group of engineers, architects, and scientists come together to solve a problem, experiment with new technology, or collaborate on a project. But it can also be where a group of kids and teens works together on a robotics challenge, designs a new type of 3D printed bracelet, or even writes a computer program to use in their community. Collaboration is an essential part of the makerspace experience, and it can lead to more significant innovation, better problem-solving skills, and increased social cohesion in your community.?

Making is a collaborative process. While we tend to think of makerspaces as places where people tinker alone, the most meaningful and impactful projects are designed by teams. When people come together to make, they can share their ideas, develop trust, and build relationships with others in the space.

Help Build a Sustainable Future

When you look at the ever-growing population, it is clear that our planet cannot sustain this growth rate for much longer. While some think that population growth will lead to catastrophe, others hope it will bring innovation, creativity, and a new wave of ingenuity to help us create a more sustainable future. Makerspaces can help build a sustainable future in a few ways:?

- Provide Space for People to Experiment and Fail.?

One of the most critical aspects of building a sustainable future is experimentation – and making is the perfect way to experiment! When people come together in a makerspace to tinker with new technologies or experiment with new ways of doing things, they can try out new ideas and fail without consequence or risk. This is one of the most important aspects of making things: it allows people to experiment with new ideas and fail without risk.?

- Build Connections between Experts and Novices.

Makerspaces can help build connections between experts and novices in your community.?

Expert makers, designers, engineers, scientists, and teachers can come together with newcomers and help them learn new skills and gain confidence in their abilities. Newbies can also help experts solve problems and design new projects – and this type of interconnection can be an essential part of building a sustainable future together.

Conclusion

Makerspaces are not a new concept. It’s been over a decade since we’ve seen an explosion of interest in them, and the number of makerspaces continues to grow. From large-scale facilities like The Tech Museum in San Francisco to the makerspace at your local high school, makerspaces are popping up everywhere.

The growth of makerspaces is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Many different types of places can be described as makerspaces and many ways to use the space. The key is to find the type of makerspace that works best within your community and build on that foundation. Whether you’re building your first makerspace or a seasoned veteran, the best way to get started is to find out what types of projects your makerspace community is working on.