digibury december: dan knox, university of kent makerspace
TRANSCRIPT
The UK’s European university
The Shed
Overview
• What is The Shed?
• Why did we build it?
• How is it being used?
• What’s Next?
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What is The Shed?
• The Shed is a `Makerspace’ homed in the
School of Computing.
• It is equipped with a wide variety of machines
(e.g. 3D printers and laser cutters) and
development equipment (e.g. the Oculus Rift
and Raspberry Pi).
• Currently, students and staff of the School can
use `The Shed’, not only to build physical
devices for taught modules, but also to support
and develop their own personal interests and
hobbies.
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Why did we build it?
• In the last decade, there has been a
transformation in the ease with which complex,
interactive objects combining software and
hardware can be made.
• A constellation of overlapping technologies and
ways of working have come together to make
this happen.
• This, in turn, enables ways of learning and
collaboration that are based on interacting
around a developing prototype.
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This isn’t just about the technology.
It’s about how the technology enables new
ways of working together.
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How is it being used?
• Initially the space is being used for informal
learning and teaching within the School of
Computing.
• It is also being used by other University groups,
primarily Tinkersoc (who encourage associate
members from the public to join), for their
community activities.
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What has been happening there?
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Final year project: Formation flying drones
What has been happening there?
Designing and
fabricating HAT’s for
the Raspberry Pi.
Page 8
What has been happening there?
Experimenting with
`wireless’ power.
Page 9
What has been happening there?
Lots and lots of 3D
printing
Page 10
What has been happening there?
Iron man arc reactor
replica.
Page 11
What has been happening there?
Amateur radio
Page 12
What has been happening there?
Lots of laser cutting
and gluing.
Page 13
What has been happening there?
Community outreach.
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And much more….
Page 15
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We have only been open 10
weeks.
What’s Next?
• Increasing the machines available based on
current use.
• Increasing outreach.
• A public seminar series hosting maker’s from
around the UK –• Circumnavigating the globe with a party balloon.
• Designing a new academic module (possibly
on building sensor networks, e.g the `Internet of
Things’.
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