Makerspace Open Evening

Come and meet the members of Basingstoke Makerspace, and see how your local Makerspace is developing so far.

Note that as this and all Meetups are advertised on Facebook, on our website and elsewhere, generally we get an attendance of 15-25 people when we have a talk on an open evening, and at least 10-20 on a typical open evening, so those signed up through Meetup to attend are just the tip of the iceberg...

What is a makerspace?

A makerspace is a collaborative work space for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools.

These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, cnc machines, soldering irons and even sewing machines. A makerspace however doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace. If you have cardboard, Lego bricks and art supplies you’re in business. It’s more of the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing and exploring your own interests that’s at the core of a makerspace.

These spaces are also helping to prepare those who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). They provide hands on learning, help with critical thinking skills and even boost self-confidence. Some of the skills that are learned in a makerspace pertain to electronics, 3D printing, 3D modelling, coding, robotics and even woodworking,

Makerspaces are also fostering entrepreneurship and are being utilised as incubators and accelerators for business startups. There have already been some amazing success stories (http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/07/7-successful-products-to-emerge-from-san-franciscos-techshop/241291/#slide3) that have come out of makerspaces to date.

• What we'll do
Weekly open evening when you can come along and chat about your projects and what you would like to achieve.

• What to bring
Bring your ideas and projects to work on.

• Important to know
If you park here you need to display a permit. Park if there is space and ask for a permit to display. If you are a paying member you can keep the permit.