EXP makerspace
The EXP Makerspace at Northeastern University is a multidisciplinary creative community center open to students from all colleges on Northeastern’s Boston campus. It fosters creativity through cutting-edge programming, mentorship, and hands-on training.
Project overview
The following summarizes one year of my team’s weekly deliverables as we designed and launched the EXP Makerspace.
Northeastern EXP Maker Space (EXP maker) is a visionary, provost-mandated project aimed at creating a safe, inclusive, and interdisciplinary community center and makerspace for all 20,000 Northeastern University (NU) students:
Week 1
Design Community growth strategy/ Meet Maker space Directors
Meet with the Northeastern EXP Maker Space core leadership team
Develop a student outreach strategy.
Student Clubs outreach.
Develop a list of VIP folks to work with to develop a mind/body-safe culture.
Build a student advisory team.
Collect feedback from other 10 NU Makerspaces.
Collect feedback from NU Colleges.
Began EXP Makerspace Org Chart.
Week 2
Focus: Student Groups + Culture + Orgs/ Listen+Learn Sessions
Establish an EXP Maker Community Table.
50+ People bring food
Gather data from Northeastern EXP Maker Space listen and learn tours.
Recommended a standardization of training and safety operations.
Week 3
Develop: Safety Response Procedures/ Ideations Sessions/ Equipment List
Meet with NUPD, ORS, and EHS to co-develop safety response procedures.
Collaborate with MarCom collaborators to review/approve EXP voice/brand/social.
Draft Northeastern EXP Maker Space Mission and Culture Brand Guide.
Next steps in the Design Thinking Process:
Faculty ideation session
Student Ideation session
Faculty Incentives to use EXPmaker
Begin EXP maker Equipment list
Question: Opening day, what do we want as functionality in EXPmaker?
Week 4
Communicate: six Immediate Needs to Northeastern EXP Maker Space leads
Marketing
Mind/Body whole person safety
Website / Mobile App
Define and Purchase Equipment
FT/PT Staffing
Aligning NU Makerspaces for ECOsystem
Drafted EXPmaker Basis of Design Statement
An overview of culture, goals, organizational structure, and functionality.
White-boarded WebApp flowchart V.1:
Defined V.1 Equipment
Find someone regarding J.E.D.I. hiring mandates and support scaffolding principles.
Organized NU Makerspace Techs for a Workshop to align safety and training procedures
Week 5
Synchronization: Web app/ Student Advisory Team/ EXP space review
Workshopped a White Label Safety and Training document with all NU makerspace techs to provide benchmarked training and safe operation guidelines.
Designed and hired a part-time student advisory team. This team of three NU Students was assembled to guide every early-stage EXPmaker initiative and strategy.
Identified areas in EXPmaker for safety and functionality review:
Week 6
grow Equity: Student Advisors/ Webapp/ Welcoming JEDI + Affinity Groups
EXPmaker Student Advisors onboarding
Webapp: After viewing the scope and condensed timeline of the EXP Ecosystem web app, GoodGood Design has suggested a larger Product Design Studio: Upstatement.
Begin developing systems and actions that trigger a sequence of events that may include campus police, staff, and departments trained in safety when a person or group is intellectually or emotionally harmed.
Begin JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and inclusion) and antiracism outreach to NU departments for EXPmaker.
Begin outreach to NU Affinity Groups: SHPE, SASE, SWE, SOBE, and LGBTQIA+)
Week 7
Incorperate: CATLR/ MOSAIC
CATLR:
Met with the NU Center for Advanced Teaching and Learning through Research (CATLR) to discuss creating tools and pedagogy for Northeastern faculty to integrate EXPmaker.
MOSAIC:
Mosaic represents six of the nine colleges; it is an excellent contact point to create student ownership and users in EXPmaker.
Met with the Mosaic team and members of influential student organizations.
MOSAIC and Student Club presence at EXPmaker to establish a balance of the nine colleges:
Week 8
Infrastructure design: Equipment Identification + Placement
Equipment:
Developed the EXPmaker equipment and support infrastructure list and budgets.
Identified and confirmed equipment location in EXPmaker shops and maker space.
Designed woodshop equipment and infrastructure layout
Week 9
Proposed: Budget/ Staffing
Organizational Chart Completed:
Budget Completed
Week 10
Culture build: establish community Kitchen
To foster an equitable community and culture, a large makerspace includes a kitchen as a workshop. A kitchen welcomes people from diverse cultural backgrounds and emphasizes that their unique contributions are essential to the makerspace community. It affirms that creative work takes many forms, including those rooted in everyday practices.
Began conversations to gain access to the EXP catering kitchen
With numerous stakeholders requesting access to a kitchen as part of the EXP makerspace, integrating the EXP catering kitchen into the core EXPmake offerings is essential for fostering community and culture. The kitchen would operate like any other EXPmaker shop, with required safety and operations training.
Week 11
redesigned: Woodshop / Bio-makerspace safety
Woodshop V.4 conversation:
Identified that the original placement of the wood tools in an unsecured location posed a significant risk of harm and therefore required the below redesign:
Bio-Makerspace: Begun safety and operations conversations
Week 12
connectivity: OARS Safety/ Marketing and Awareness
Safety:
Set up communication with the NU Office of Academic and Research Safety (OARS)
Worked with Environmental and Makerspace safety to:
Audit NU makerspace safety and training procedures
Synchronize NU makerspace safe disposal mandates
Upgrade NU makerspace safety infrastructure
Produce NU makerspace Whitelabel equipment training manuals.
Marketing and Awareness:
Begin Social Media and Marketing campaigns.
Early Logo Design:
Design asset (logo) brainstorming for EXP which illustrates how the nine NU colleges in EXP maker are coming together to create a safe, welcoming, innovative transdisciplinary teaching/learning 10th culture.
Week 13
collaboration: EXP+Snell library partnership
EXPmaker/Snell Library Makerspace within the NU makerspace Ecosystem:
Week 14
interactive: Student clubs/ Space mapping/
Student Clubs Outreach: Completed assessment, audit, and reconciliation of all 600 NU student clubs and organizations for strategic outreach.
Instagram: NU MarCom supported an Instagram account.
Map of EXPmaker showing tool layout:
EXP Makerspace custom Bandana Giveaway! The bandana design contains 22 hidden icons representing the EXP makerspace
Week 15
student awareness: FALL FEST/ STORAGE solutions/ IDENTITY/
Data from Fall Fest:
85 followers on our Instagram: @nuexpmaker
200 names/emails on our sign-up sheet
400 bandanas in 80 minutes
Added storage along the back wall to the scope.
Week 16
roadmap: social equity PROJECT GOALS
Racial and Social Equity Roadmap to guide initiatives and strategy development for EXPmaker:
Week 17
Opening: Timeline/ All-Ability Access
Developed an EXPMaker Initiatives and Infrastructure Rollout Timeline for a Sept 6th Opening
Met with the All-Ability student group for recommendations for access to EXPmaker that integrate Universal Design.
Week 18
(Week 19 off)
comfort: Furniture list
Developed a furniture list for equipment support, an equitable working environment and community development.
Week 20
outreach: WebApp/ Executive Director job posting live
Designed the V.1 flow chart of the WebApp:
ED listing is live.
NOTE: NU HR heavily edited the proposed listing to include low-lever equipment management and operations, diluting the equitable hiring practices and goals in the original job description.
NU Makerspace Ecosystem Solutions:
Each MS controls who from the general community may use their space.
Implementing curation that favors people with project themes related to the mandates of each makerspace.
Developed a “menu” allowing each makerspace to select from a list of touchpoints and services that support the NU student population.
Each touchpoint is customizable by the individual makerspaces to ensure the services selected from the menu will be fulfilled.
Week 21
growth: Bio-Equipment/ ECOSystem goals
Goals of the NU makerspace EcoSystem:
Empower interdisciplinary innovation.
Foster new collaboration between colleges.
Alleviate shop/maker space over-capacity by redirecting students to the EXP Makerspace.
Standardize safety training and equipment operation.
Access to a wide range of specialized equipment.
Interdisciplinary design and project advice.
Establish a mentally/physically safe and welcoming making culture.
Increase equipment offerings and reduce equipment redundancy to save costs.
Week 22
safety: Equipment + makerspace Safety Review
Coastal Safety LLC:
Robert Klien will conduct campus-wide operations and training safety reviews of the infrastructure and equipment in Northeastern’s maker spaces and workshops.
Week 23
environmental: Dust Collector/ Student Storage/ Metal Shop Safety
Identified Unsafe Design:
Not having a door and window that connects the two first-floor shops poses a significant safety risk. Therefore, Payette to redesign and add new passageways:
Week 24
completed: FINAL EQUIPMENT LIST
Week 25
staffing: student work force Spring Onboarding + Training
Explorers: The EXP Makerspace Student Workforce. Eventually 100 students
Core Explorer's responsibilities are:
Design and build e the EXP Makerspace culture, infrastructure, and initiatives.
Embody and promote the equitable and welcoming EXP Makerspace Honor Code.
Protect the safe and inclusive culture inside and outside of EXP Makerspace.
Oversee equipment maintenance and operational safety.
Provide project support and lead tours, training sessions, and workshops.
Maintain high-performance standards for themselves and their peers.
Goal: Hire 50 students one semester before EXPmaker opens as the first cohort of EXPmaker "Explorers,” ensuring safe operations and providing services from day one.
Designed Explorer Spring Training Schedule and Explorer job description draft:
Waitlist sign-up sheet for interested students.
The Explorers will ensure the physical and mental safety of ALL NU students. Therefore, they will likely be in challenging, harmful, and confrontational situations.
To address this, they will take four ODEI Workshops: Emergency Medical Response, De-escalation, Bias Awareness, and Anti-racist training.
In addition, NUPD will train the Explorers in First Aid and CPR to respond to an injury.
Week 26
logistics: student advisor awareness campaign/ explorer budget
The EXP Makerspace Student Advisors are hosting a noon study break awareness campaign today.
Developed a budget for Explorers
Proposed shift schedule and mechanics
Week 27
Installing: physical + digital equipment + infrastructure
EXPmaker identity/brand design
Designer Jack Vogelsang has joined the team as lead of Identity and brand design for EXP Makerspace.
Week 28
hiring: 50 Explorers/ Design Strategy
Hiring 50 Explorers HR to publish the job listing
Developed EXPm Design Strategy
Week 29
pedagogy: Explorers Training + Org Structure/ Design Identity
Explorers Training calendar:
The first week focuses on operational procedures and Explorer's organizational structure:
Org Structure
Teams and Bands
Project Packs
Specialists
Scout +1 design Workshop planned as a 1.5/2-hour at 216 Mass Ave.
Scout is the Northeastern student-led design studio.
Scout+1 is a design thinking, data gathering and blue-sky design session for 25+ Scout members and one other nondesign student partner
Week 30
identity: Shop+MS Safety/ Explorers Equipment Training docs/ Ecoapp/ Explorer Applications/ Scout+1 Design Thinking Session/
Shop + MS Safety
Coastal Safety submitted a DRAFT of three documents outlining suggested safety upgrades to the NU Shops and MS and a tool physical hazard classification system:
Tool Classification
Room-Level Recommendations by Space
Tool Reference Table - With Suggested Hazard Levels
Explorers Equipment Training docs
Developed Twenty-four (24) training manuals and quizzes for Explorers to use and operate EXPmaker equipment safely.
Ecoapp/NUIT completed the RFP for the EXPmaker WebApp.
Scout+1 Design Thinking Session
Activity 1: Northeastern Audit To understand how welcoming, safety, and innovation work in NU common spaces.
Activity 2: To better understand how EXP Makerspace can support its stakeholders.
Week 31
press/pr: Ecoapp/ NU NEWS article/ Explorer Applications/ Scout+1 Workshop/ Data/
Ecoapp
GoodGood Design is drafting a proposal to build a site using Craft CMS
The end date of 5/17 will be pushed back to early August.
NU NEWS
The draft copy of the NU Global New article is complete.
Explorer Applications
As of 1/26, we identified about half of the 50 students as the first Explorers cohort.
Scout +1 Workshop Data has been analyzed. They want:
A mix of students and a hang out for creativity, sharing ideas, collaborative, intellectual, and hands-on prototyping.
EXPm to NOT be a study space.
Space for passion projects as much as school projects.
Time to learn technical skills
Training to use the tools
Having materials and money.
To get over being scared of trying and failing
Resources for students to get feedback on their work
Collaboration with clubs and extracurriculars
Conferences, gallery space, literary readings, workshops
Week 32
balance: WebApp+Hiring Update/ S+1 data review/
Goal: 50 Explorers represent each NU college by February 13th. Need more balance.
Week 33
hired: Explorer “Day One”/ Mood board/ Wet lab+Kitchen update/
50 Explorers began training
I’d like to recognize Aya for her incredible work. For over three weeks, she interviewed 75+ students and then worked with Student Employment to hire the 45 positions. Her hard work screening candidates paid off as the Explorers EXPmaker student workforce began chatting, brainstorming, and solving problems. Woot!
Week 34
Consumables: Strategy/ Design Update pt 1
Consumables Strategy
Developing a Consumables Strategy with Explorers
Design Update
The Explorers expressed overwhelming support for the design direction via surveys on EXPm design strategies and identity.
Week 35
Consumables: Strategy/ Design Update pt 2
Consumables Strategy (feedback from student Explorers)
All NU students receive a fixed amount (TDB) per semester for materials and consumables.
This amount “unlocks” once the orientation tour is completed.
There will be a “materials store” on site.
Use and Bookings mandate:
Students who do not use and/or have historically felt unwelcome in maker spaces will receive marketing and workshops to combine EXPm with their discipline.
Week 36
brand: culture Update/ ODEI Trainings
The backend needs for the EXP Makerspace site. Leverage preexisting NU-licensed technologies that run: Husky card swipes, Print dollars, Security, Service Now, etc.
Our designer, Jack Vogelsang, presented the initial brand moodboard to the Provost, which was met with full support.
Week 37
awareness: ODEI Trainings pt 1
ODEI Trainings pt 1 Covered:
Prior Knowledge
How we are socialized
Comfort levels
Assumptions
“We are who people think we are.”
Triggers
Self-awareness
“Model me / Not me.”
“Guessing to know you.”
The NU Equity and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator will assist in building protocols and responses to harmful actions in EXP Makerspace.
Week 38
self-awareness: ODEI Trainings/ Website/ Scout Retainer pt 2
ODEI Trainings pt 2 Covered:
Looking Glass Self
Identity
Social
Personal
micro/Macro Agressions
Pet Peeves
Colonization
White Advantage
Justice
Biais
Prototype
Confirmation
Blind Spots
Belonging
Fitting In
DEI
Scout Retainer
Designed a 3-year scope of work, with each deliverable per semester.
Website Wireframe from GoodGood Design:
Week 39
preparation: ED Onboarding
30 page ED onboarding dossier completed.
Week 40
launch: website V.1-V.2/ Explorers CPR-First Aid Training
Website V.1 Site copy has been completed.
Website V.2 APIs on the EXPm site so the public can see NU's creativity in real-time.
Explorers: CPR training and first aid training sessions have begun.
Week 41
completion: ED Onboarding/ Design Update/ Explorers/
ED Onboarding completed
Design Update: The poster/Sticker giveaway last Saturday was successful!
Explorers Update for Summer
Summer availability for Explorers
Brunch next Thursday/on Reading Day
August's availability to investigate the housing situation.
