Document Type

Presentation

Journal/Book Title/Conference

FabLearn 2015

Volume

Stanford, CA

Publication Date

2015

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the individuals and factors contributing to the emergence of a community makerspace in a small city in the United States. As research into how makerspaces have come into existence is still in a nascent stage, this single case study is intended to describe and highlight some of the complexities involved in creating such a facility. Based on analysis of onsite observations, interviews of adults connected with the space, and electronic communications, we present a story of how two co-founders of a youth-focused makerspace went from having initial interest in extracurricular activities for their own children to creating a makerspace serving all interested youth in the community. Following the resultant narrative, we also observe that while the co-founders were important agents in establishing this makerspace, awareness of the broad set of social, material, and institutional resources to which the co-founders had unique access helps to explain how this still new makerspace was ultimately established. This observation has important implications for other groups and organizations that are being encouraged to establish their own makerspaces.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.