DIY - Makerspaces and 3D Printing

In light of the recent article that we are to read for this module about 3D printing, I thought I would discuss a little bit about that topic and makerspaces in my blog as well.  I don't personally have much experience with the technology but I remember when 3D printers were everywhere on Kickstarter a few years ago.  Making them more affordable and easier to use seemed to be the selling points for those.  These days you'll see everything from news articles about someone printing a gun to a blog about printing food items.  So the technology has definitely ramped up and gone in a multitude of different directions.  Below are some links to articles or websites detailing some of the examples from above.

3D Printed Iron Man Arm

3D Printing Food - In SPAAAAACCEEEE

A Human Kidney

But makerspaces in general are much more than 3D printing.  They are about creativity and ingenuity across multiple disciplines.  I know from a previous talk with one of the librarians here on campus that he wanted to really help students from different majors collaborate on projects in the makerspace.  For example for English majors, Art majors, and CS majors all get together and learn how to make a game.  The students would be writing the story, creating the assets, and coding the mechanics (especially now since you can get Unity and Unreal Engine 4 for free or for very cheap).  Or to have people learn how to make costumes and props for cosplay.

The idea of makerspaces in any library public or academic interests me greatly.  I love the idea of learning how to do something that is outside of what you may expect for any sort of additional instructional classes a library provides.  Learning how to use sound equipment or editing software can get you a lot of places these days with all of the YouTube channels and Vines.