Student at Faculty of Social Sciences, Sander, uses Makerspace to make a model boat in his spare time. Photo: Mina K. Abrahamsen
Did you know that all OsloMet students can use Makerspace?
The Makerspace workshop is located in Pilestredet 35. There, students from all fields of study at OsloMet can work on projects, whether it is in connection with studies or free time.
“It's fun to have the boat and think about the fact that I built it when I went to OsloMet”, says Sander Vestby.
The boat he is well into making is inspired by 18th century frigates and could slip right into the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Although his interest in history has inspired Sander, his field of study is the bachelor's degree in administration and management in public business.
Precisely for this reason, the creative workshop Makerspace at Pilestredet 35 has become important to him.
“My everyday life is characterized by a lot of theory and sitting still. Then it's very nice to have Makerspace to use your hands for something other than typing on a keyboard”, says Sander.
Access to an entire workshop
He first thought that the Makerspace was reserved for the engineering students. When he learned that all students at OsloMet can use it, he started going there when there were quiet periods during his studies.
He feels privileged to have an entire workshop at his disposal.
“Not many people have access to tools worth NOK 2 million at any time”, says Sander.
Meet other students
In Makerspace, he has met students from all kinds of fields of study who have had various projects such as sewing clothes on a sewing machine, making stickers and buttons. Several of them have come over to talk to him when they have seen him working on his boat.
He likes that he can work there without being disturbed, but also get tips and advice from students and staff who stop by.
“Makerspace is an arena that can provide a different type of mastery than getting feedback on a study assignment”, says Sander.
An extension of the education
Kersti Fosse Blålid is a divisional engineer in Makerspace and manages much of what happens there. She started using the workshop when she was an arts and crafts teacher student at OsloMet.
Kersti found that the Makerspace gave her the opportunity to complete her study assignments in many more ways than she could in her classroom.
“Makerspace is an extension of the educational offer OsloMet already gives you”, she says.
In connection with her studies, she made an architectural model in the Makerspace. In addition, she had her own hobby projects such as making her own board games, sewing clothes, and making enough Christmas decorations to fill an entire Christmas tree.
In the end, she had been there so much that she was offered a permanent job as a mentor. The mentors come from various subject areas at OsloMet and are responsible for the courses that must be taken to use the machines in the Makerspace.
Anyone can use the Makerspace
Kersti understands that some people may find it scary to sit in a room where you get the impression that the others know a lot. But according to her, users are aware that everyone who comes there has started from scratch once.
“In Makerspace, no question is too stupid”, says Kersti.
More about Makerspace
You can read more about what you can do in the Makerspace at oslomet.no.
Do you want to use the Makerspace?
Enter the Makerspace room in Canvas and select "Join this course"(oslomet.instructure.com). Complete the module on general information and safety. You are then ready to attend training courses and work on your projects in the Makerspace.
