Tandon opened its doors to a new creative space on Sept. 20: the MakerSpace. The center boasts high-tech resources from 3-D printers to oscilloscopes, acting as a place for collaboration and project developments.

Tandon sophomore Beamlak Hailemariam works at MakerSpace as a TA and said that this center’s resources range from lower-end technology for quick projects to high-end machines for longer term projects.

“The MakerSpace is really intended to encourage students to not be afraid to create something new,” Hailemariam said. “But even more, there are whiteboards and open desks for students to work with friends on projects or school work. The MakerSpace has opened up so many opportunities for students here at Tandon and students in all of NYU.”

He said that while there were many resources that allowed students to learn and explore, the MakerSpace is a huge catalyst for student innovation. Before utilizing the space and its equipment, students must attend a safety orientation session.

This session gives a tour of the space and provides basic training for using the Ultimaker 3-D printers. If students want more information after that, they can log into the MakerSpace website with their NetIDs.

Tandon junior Magdalena Sawicka is also a TA at MakerSpace, and she said that while there is no limit to what a student can create, students may have to factor in costs for some of their more complex projects.

“Low-end prints during the day is free for less than four hours and overnight is 12 hours,” Sawicka said. “For higher-end printers, you have to buy a tray for the printer — one is $5 and another type is $10 —  and print pretty much to your heart’s content.”

Sawicka has used the MakerSpace to print a few 3-D projects before, and she said one of her more interesting results included a self-watering plant pot that she gave as a gift.

“I really am into self-sustainability and also environmental issues,” Sawicka said. “The MakerSpace genuinely provided me with everything I needed but mostly with some inspiration, which is hard to find as a busy engineering student.”

She said that the MakerSpace is the perfect place for engineering students to unwind while being able to work with their hands — a large reason why many students go into engineering.

Many people, such as Tandon sophomore Diana Francisco, use this for fun. She printed Pokemon keychains for her family.

“I also tried making a MAC palette for actual eyeshadows but realized it would take too long to print as per the rules,” Francisco said. “So I made a keychain-sized MAC palette. My roommates and I also laser cut a sign saying ‘shoes off, clothes on plz’ that we hung on our wall because we have a no-shoe policy.”

While many students similar to Francisco only visit the center for fun, many others also plan to utilize MakerSpace for long-term projects. Hailemariam plans to build an electronic longboard and said he plans to use the printers for certain parts of his board. He has used 3-D printing before for other personal uses.

“Last spring, my roommate and I needed a 3-D light switch for automating the light in our dorm room so it would turn on and off when we clap our hands,” Hailemariam said. “Now with the MakerSpace there is so much more we can do.”

Email Polina Buchak at [email protected].