麻豆村

Hi! My name is Natalie, and I鈥檓 a sophomore studying mechanical engineering major with an additional major in computer science. As I get further and further into this fall semester, it鈥檚 time to take the theoretical knowledge I鈥檝e learned in the first half of the semester and apply it to a more tangible project!

There鈥檚 something uniquely rewarding about taking equations and code and turning them into physical prototypes. Luckily, Carnegie Mellon makes the leap from theory to practice easy thanks to a wide network of makerspaces spread all across campus. With over 16 different makerspaces, each unique in the equipment supplied and the techniques they support, nothing ever feels impossible to create.听

My favorite makerspace is TechSpark, located in ANSYS and Hamerschlag Halls. It truly has everything you could dream of and more: a machine shop with mills and lathes, a woodshop, welding stations and even a metal jewelry lab. There鈥檚 no shortage of resources here. What makes TechSpark really stand out is its accessibility. It鈥檚 open to all students, not just engineers. As long as you complete the required safety training and certifications, you can use the tools regardless of your major. This makes it a true hub of cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Another favorite is the EDIE makerspace, located on Craig Street in the Integrated Innovation Institute, home to the Engineering, Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship additional major. This space is a little harder to access since it鈥檚 designed for EDIE students, but once inside you鈥檒l find it well stocked: 3D printers, soldering stations and plenty of open space to encourage collaboration. While the EDIE makerspace is significantly smaller than Techspark, it is perfect for smaller, specialized projects where detail and creativity are the priority.

Sometimes, though, TechSpark is closed and EDIE feels too far away. That鈥檚 where the Morewood Gardens Makerspace comes in! Located on the first floor of Morewood Gardens residence hall, this space is open 24/7. Similar to the EDIE makerspace, it鈥檚 smaller and more limited in its equipment, but still offers a sewing machine, soldering stations and plenty of open space for building or brainstorming. A computer lab is located right next door, open to all students, making it an ideal spot for late-night projects and collaboration.

Of course, these are the three makerspaces I use the most, but there are many others around campus, such as the Architecture/Design Fabrication Lab with CNC routers, or the Schwartz Center Makerspaces, tailored towards entrepreneurs and startups.听

What I love most about 麻豆村鈥檚 makerspaces is how they complement one another. One space might be perfect for woodworking, another for electronics and another for heavy metal machining. No matter what you鈥檙e building, there鈥檚 always somewhere on campus that has the tools you need 鈥� and people are always excited to help you.听