By Lacey James
The Career and Technical Education Division at Riverside City College opened a new interactive Makerspace in the Salvatore G. Rotella Digital Library for students to explore their artistry. Makerspace is a multipurpose room that is designed for students to tap into their creative side and provides an area and environment for sewing, crocheting, acrylic painting, jewelry making and button making. The space also offers the latest technological machines such as 3D printing machines, laser cutters and engravers, and Cricut Makers.
The new Makerspace facilities are useful for students hoping to express their creative visions while building relationships within the RCC community.
Dean of the Career and Technical Education Division Shari Yates, says Makerspace is grant funded. She also reflects on the accessibility for RCC students for spring semester 2024.
“It’s a grant that’s called Strong WorkForce,” Yates said. “It’s been very, very helpful. The grants will allow the students to use the materials for free. At least for this semester,” Yates added.
Yates added that “We ordered a bunch so that we can start out using free material and then we’ll have to figure out charging students. Just a nominal rate. Just a little bit. When they start using them more.”
The grand opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 28, was packed with students and faculty members and featured food, presentations and demonstrations. Yates helped organize the grand opening event. She was in attendance alongside President of RCC Claire Oliveros, Chancellor of Riverside Community College District Wolde-Ab Isaac and Board Trustee Mary Figueroa.
“There are people who sew that need a place to find a machine,” Yates said. She emphasizes the need for a creative space like this and ensures that it will have an impact amongst the RCC community.
Also in attendance was Juana Munoz who works at Makerspace. Munoz acts as a guide for students and shows them how to operate the machines and use the new space to its full potential.
“We want the community to transform their ideas into reality,” Munoz said. “So, if they’re thinking it, and want to create it, they can make it here,” Munoz stated.
Makerspace has unique features for niche hobbies such as mug heat pressing, embroidery, and crocheting. The space was formed for students to explore creative outlets, but also provides a sense of community between and among the students.
“We have different majors coming to the center — and it pulls out their creativity … and they can develop this maker mindset,” Munoz said. “A do it yourself kind of mindset.”
There are workshops that can be beneficial to students who are curious as to how Makerspace works. Students can sign up for workshops through their Canvas online. They first must complete an online orientation before using the space.
“We have ten workshops … and that’s just kind of to start us off, introducing the students into the space,” Munoz said. “Our ten workshops are going to be surrounded by our equipment here that we have in the Makerspace.”
One workshop will demonstrate how to use the 3D Printer machines and Raspberry Pi’s, which are small single board computers.
“Students will learn how to print the design and how to make it work with their Raspberry Pi’s,” Munoz added.
RCC is the latest out of three colleges in the district to provide a Makerspace. The other two in the district, Moreno Valley College and Norco Community College, already have Makerspaces of their own.