“Makerspace is a place where people come together to make projects in a communal space. It is a metaphor for a unique atmosphere that encourages tinkering, play, and open-ended exploration for all. A collaborative learning environment where people share materials, ideas, and new skill with one another. Our Makerspace enables community partnership, collaboration and creation.”
-People’s Place Antigonish Town & County Library
I visited the new Makespace with my son and was pleasantly surprised to see all the free equipment and software readily available to anyone who wants to use it. From STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning to artistic development, this wonderful space has everything to cultivate the imagination and innovation in every child, and adult.
Here are some of the cool things we discovered during our guided tour with Sarah Armstrong.
Lego® Robotics
This takes Legos to the next level! Great opportunity for children to create and command their own robotic creations to move using the Mindstorms® Lego® series.
LittleBits™
Great introduction to programing, coding and circuit building to create prototypes and awesome inventions.
Makey Makey®
This kit allows you to connect objects that can conduct electricity with a computer program, in order to turn the objects into touchpads. For example, you can make a banana piano where you use the bananas instead of the keyboard to make music.
(from http://www.makeymakey.com/)
The Silhouette Cameo
The Silhouette cutting machine is amazing for DIY projects. From simple cut-outs to stick-on vinyl creations… it does it all.
(Note: limited supplies can be purchased at the library at a low cost.)
The Singer® Sewing Machine
This top of the line sewing machine can be used for any sewing project.
The Cuttlebug®
This adorable machine is a scrapbooker’s heaven! It allows you to emboss and die cut cards, labels, tags, and much more.
3D Viewer
Remember this?
(image from www.editingluke.net)
If you do, then you definitely grew up in the 80’s…
Well, Makerspace has the latest 3D viewer. You can download your own Apps and use them for this 3D virtual reality viewer. How cool is that?
A variety of software
AutoCAD for 3D design, Adobe Creative Suite CS6, Adobe Dreamweaver for web design, Adobe Flash for animation, Adobe Illustrator for creating designs and logos, Photoshop for modifying images and graphics are readily available for free.
(from www.creativepro.com)
The 3D Printer
This machine is AWESOME! You can create 3D models of anything, including the latest toy fad… fidget spinners! You can go to Tinkercad.com, download a design and email it to the library for printing.
(Note: there is a cost for the printer materials)
Combine the power of the 3D printer with the MakerBot® digitizer for even more possibilities. I remember seeing this on TV, but to actually have a digitizer available in town is very exciting!
The MakerBot® scans an item and turns it into a digital design which can then be printed in 3D! Watch the video below.
The Converter
Great opportunity to convert old VHS tapes, collecting dust, into DVDs. Vinyl records and cassettes can be converted into CDs and MP3s as well.
Final thoughts…
The Makerspace is a wonderful place to create and stretch one’s imagination. I was very impressed with the quantity and quality of the technology, and the creative equipment available to the public for free.
Your children will love it!
Go check it out 🙂
Note: Make sure to call or email the library in advance to ask about availability.
Happy tinkering!
(The Makerspace is sponsored by the Friends of the Antigonish Library (FoAL))
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