Guidelines on HEIs and technical spaces collaboration
Makerspaces are rather new phenomena in HEIs and not sufficiently exploited. It is challenging to find and use good practice examples, since each and every makerspace is unique. They differ vastly in size, governance, funding structure, theme, etc. The aim of the HEI MAKERS guidelines for higher education institutions is to specify how they can (better) utilize rapidly expanding technical spaces (like Makerspaces, FabLabs, Techshops, etc.) for the purpose of higher quality of education and more relevant graduate skills. Based on the examples of Lithuania, Latvia and Romania, it aims to help HEIs in Europe to understand the principles of strategic integration of makerspaces into study process, get familiar with definitions and quality standards, adapt frameworks for recognition of learning outcomes, join the network of HEIs which run / collaborate with makerspaces.
Training module on technological entrepreneurship
HEI MAKERS entrepreneurship development module focuses on technical startups rather than the usual ones teaching legal aspects and general business process. The module is available through Moodle platform https://moodle.heimakers.eu. It is based on successful entrepreneurship education initiatives like Futurepreneurs (Lithuania), Fellows (UK), Springboard (Latvia) carried out by the HEI MAKERS consortium. HEI MAKERS technological entrepreneurship module focuses on developing entrepreneurial mind-set, applying creative thinking techniques, creation and commercialization of hardware start-ups, intellectual rights strategy on going global, etc. The aim of the developed module is to provide a detailed understanding to learners, HEI students and lecturers, with basic knowledge and real case examples on launching a hardware based start-up and prepare for generating ideas how to start a business based on own prototype.
Moodle platform of the module: https://moodle.heimakers.eu
Module on technical creativity in 3D printing and rapid prototyping
The technical creativity module focuses on 3D scanning and printing as rapid prototyping – as it is the most developed field in participating makerspaces. The main innovative aspects of O3 deal with the trans-disciplinary approaches involved, the use of open resources based learning opportunities and the connection between maker culture and academic environment. The training module on technical creativity in 3D printing is now available for use in HEIs and makerspaces @ https://moodle.heimakers.eu
Summer school training programme
The HEI MAKERS mission is to improve innovation and creativity skills of graduates by providing new teaching methods in higher education institutions and open resources for formal and non-formal education. This training programme combines lectures and hands-on workshops in a makerspace to achieve predefined learning outcomes. It was piloted during HEI MAKERS summer school in 2019 with 25 students from Lithuania, Latvia and Romania. Highly positive feedback suggests HEIs should use HEI MAKERS training programme to enrich STEAM and social science subjects, increase motivation of students, and develop labour market relevant competencies. The scope of the programme is 3 ECTS.
Plugin for open software “Blender”
The Blender is a powerful tool but mostly focused on artists and lacks precision copy and move tools. HEI MAKERS created add-ons to make Blender more friendly to makers – introduced abilities to create technical models easier and also improved features to evaluate models before 3D printing (thus also contributing to more efficient use of resources and less plastic waste). Add-on helps to create and edit parametric objects. HEI MAKERS updated 3D printing toolbox add-on and included features to visually evaluate models for 3D printing and show potential model flaws, updated and made the precision copy, move Add-on available with the newest version of Blender.