Illinois MakerLab Holds First Online Summer Camps For Young Students

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In the past two weeks, the Illinois MakerLab held its first online summer camps featuring Adventures in 3D Modeling and Design with Tinkercad and SketchUp. Due to the current circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer camps were adjusted to be taught through Zoom in order to still give students the opportunity to continue their participation in these 3D Modeling and Design camps.

Despite some may finding 3D Modeling as complex, students ages 9 years and up tackled many challenges and successfully built a variety of designs. From building a pencil stand to a rocket, learning the basics and building some complex models has given them the tools to build whatever may come to mind.

It was important that at the end of the camp, the students would be comfortable showcasing their skills when given the freedom to build a 3D model of their choosing. When the students were asked about the most interesting thing they’ve learned, many pointed out certain tools found in the programs but also creating some fascinating models. 

“Being able to make a chair was the most interesting thing I learned this week.”
— Simon L.

The camp may have ended for these students but after the 4 workshops provided in each session, they are now certified digital makers and will be receiving the prints of their 3D models.

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Making Things Class Begins!

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Our new Making Things class has begun! This innovative new course teams up 21 undergraduate students across business, engineering, and art & design. Each of these 7 teams will be conceptualizing, designing, prototyping, manufacturing, and marketing a new product. This is the first course of its type in an American business school. Class sessions are held in the Illinois MakerLab each Wednesday night and are hands-on in nature; during each session, students practice our MakerLab principles of Learn, Make, and Share. Our first class kicked off with a video conference with Zach Kaplan, CEO of Inventables and Erwin Cruz, Head of Innovation and IP at Grainger offering insights and advice to our students. Both Zach and Erwin are members of the MakerLab Advisory Board and are deeply involved in the emerging Maker Movement. Following this conference call, students formed their teams and then designed and printed custom nameplates using Tinkercad 3D modeling software and MakerBot Replicator 3D printers. During the course of the semester, student teams will take turns updating course happenings on our website. So, please stay tuned to see what amazing things our students will be making!

You can also join us in the journey, by following the class hashtag #makingthings, and perhaps even sharing some relevant resources for our class by using the same hashtag.