Maker Network 2025
Maker Network 2025
January 15, 2025 | 9a-1p
Siebel Center for Design
Evolving the UIUC Maker Network
SCD is hosting the second annual Maker Network event, as an opportunity for managers at UIUC makerspaces, creator studios, and production labs to connect and learn about the resources available on campus. Inspired by the need to connect students to resources, the Maker Network looks to develop a community and an ongoing solution to keeping our staff and students informed.
This year, we invite other makerspace and facility managers to share more about your work and experiences. We will also host vendors and tours of our new Plastics Recycling Center along with lunch and networking opportunities. More information and the program schedule are coming soon!
When completing your RSVP, we will collect some information about your labs or spaces and ask if you would like to present at this year's event. Please let us know if you are coming, so we can have refreshments and lunch for everyone!
Schedule and Session Information.
All sessions held at Siebel Center for Design, 1208 S. 4th Street, Champaign
9a-9:30a: Welcome Activities and Announcements (light refreshments and coffee provided) [SCD Gallery and Upper Lobby]
As guests arrive, we will have a series of prompts that will help us gather some initial data and insights from this group. In true SCD fashion, we will have whiteboards and post-it notes available to collect your thoughts, while you start mingling with your fellow Maker Network managers.
9:30-9:50a: Welcome and Opening Remarks [SCD Gallery]
SCD's Sr. Associate Director of Operations and Experience, Nicholas Puddicombe, and Assistant Director of Lab and Equipment Operations, Neil Pearse, will give an overview of the Maker Network since meeting last year, and discuss some opportunities for collaboration going forward.
10a-11:30a: Presentations from our Illinois Campus Makerspaces [SCD Gallery]
Learn more about several maker spaces and resources here on campus, and meet the people who operate these spaces! We will hear from the Innovation Studio and VR Lab at CITL, The (dis)Ability Design Studio, Fresh Press, the Idea Lab – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, and the ECE Open Lab.
11:30-12p: Vendor and Group Information Session [SCD Gallery]
We have three special guest vendors and groups to spotlight this year: We welcome back GRIT, the equipment and access management system used in the SCD labs and others on campus, and have more to share about the student RSO, Maker Network, who have been developing a plastics recycling center in SCD thanks to a grant from the Student Sustainability Committee. We introduce the team from DoubleSpot, a facility scheduling software and AI developer who started at Illinois and are launching their products through our collaboration at SCD.
12p-1p: Lunch and Networking (lunch provided- please RSVP) [SCD Gallery and Labs]
Finish your morning with the Maker Network by joining us for a pasta buffet lunch. We will offer self-guided tours of the SCD Labs where you can see GRIT in action, take a peek into the new Plastics Recycling Center, or chat with DoubleSpot to see how they are helping SCD make scheduling easy.