Makerspace celebrates grand opening

The maker culture is alive and well at Red Deer College and a new fully renovated and expanded Makerspace will ensure it continues long into the future.

The space, located in the Library Information Common, had its grand opening in late October.

“At Red Deer College, we prideourselves on providing experiential learning opportunities for our students, and the Makerspace is another extension of this,” said Dr. Steven Lane, Associate Vice President Academic, in a news release. “Currently, the Makerspace serves a number of students in technology programs, as well as those competing in the design competitions. Looking ahead, even more students may adopt the maker culture that emphasizes the innovation and craft as an important hands-on-skill set.”

Students using the Makerspace have free access to a variety of high- and low-tech maker equipment including 3D printers, a button maker machine and electronic circuits. Makers can create prototypes, film and edit videos, record and mix audio as well as design graphics.

RDC’s first Makerspace was created in 2015 and has grown in popularity and demand as students and community members learn about the space and its benefits.

The renovation and expansion of RDC’s Makerspace was made possible through the Government of Canada’s Post-Secondary institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) grant with matching investment by Red Deer College.