Have you ever wanted to create a song, design a custom sign or experiment with 3D modelling and electronics?

The Brock University Library Makerspace is launching a new series of themed and curated ‘pathways’ that combine a variety of online workshops with hands-on maker hours. Workshops help participants build their knowledge, develop new skills and generate innovative ideas, while maker hours allow time to complete small and easy-to-approach projects alongside Makerspace staff. Participants will complete each pathway with the confidence to explore new technologies.

Pathways are beginner friendly and are open to Brock University students, staff, faculty and the greater Niagara community. Pathways are comprised of three one-hour sessions from Tuesday to Thursday, all taking place online via Microsoft Teams.

To kick off the series, three pathways are being offering in February:

Make it Glow combines 3D modelling with electronics and takes place over three days from noon to 1 p.m. Participants begin on Tuesday, Feb. 1 with an Introduction to 3D Modelling workshop, followed by an Introduction to 3D Printers and Slicing Software workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 2. The workshops will discuss different types of 3D modelling, templates and programs and how to print 3D models. Makerspace staff will also demonstrate Tinkercad, which is a free, beginner-friendly 3D modelling web application. On Wednesday, Feb. 3, participants will join a 3D Printing and Circuitry maker hour to virtually work alongside Makerspace staff using Tinkercad to create a project using the new knowledge and skills they learned from the workshops.

Make a Pop Song will teach participants the basics of how to create and mix their own music beats and tracks using Soundtrap, a free online digital audio program to record and edit music and podcasts. The pathway takes place over three days from 2 to 3 p.m. each day. Participants will begin by taking an Introduction to Soundtrap workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 8. The next two sessions will be spent as maker hours. The Making Beats maker hour on Wednesday, Feb. 9 will teach participants how to use the built-in drum machine in Soundtrap and discuss the fundamentals in creating a solid drum beat. A Sampling and Looping maker hour on Thursday, Feb. 10 will discuss how to use the sample library and looping functionality built into Soundtrap and how to use looping samples in the context of modern genres of music.

Design it and Make it takes place over three days from noon to 1 p.m. Participants will learn the basics of vector design to create customized designs for stickers, signs, gift cards, swag and other promotional items. The pathway begins with an Introduction to Cricut Design Space workshop on Tuesday Feb. 15. Participants will watch a live and interactive demonstration of Cricut Design Space, which is a free, beginner-friendly vector design software, and learn different ways to create and customize designs. The workshop will also discuss the Cricut Maker machine and the types of tools and materials required for it. The next two sessions will be spent as maker hours. The Vector Design for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) maker hour on Wednesday, Feb. 16 will focus on using the free online software Inkscape to create and save graphics to be ready for use in CNC technology such as Carvey, Cricut and laser cutting. The Easel with Carvey maker hour on Thursday, Feb. 17 will focus on using Easel by Inventables, which is a free online computer-aided design and manufacturing software. Participants will learn to create CNC designs for Carvey, which is a 3D carving machine used to create objects out of wood, metal or plastic materials.

Library Makerspace staff suggest participants follow the recommended workshops and maker hours for each pathway to make the most out of their experience. Alternatively, participants can register for a variety of individual workshops and maker hours. Prerequisites are described for each session.

Examples of upcoming workshops that are not part of the new pathways include Introduction to Podcasting and Introduction to Video Editing. Popular workshops, such as Introduction to Soundtrap and Introduction to 3D Modelling, are also offered several times a month.

All Makerspace workshops and maker hours are listed on ExperienceBU.

The Library Makerspace is a collaborative space open to the Brock and Niagara communities to gain access to new and emerging technologies, such as audio production, photo/video production, 3D prototyping, virtual reality, robotics and digital prototyping.

Additional learning resources, such as self-directed tutorials and an online tour of the Makerspace, are available on the Brock University Library Makerspace website.

Questions can be directed to makerspace@brocku.ca