NCSU Libraries receives grant to develop programming around Makerspaces and women in STEM fields
January 4, 2016
"Making Space” event series and hands-on workshops address gender diversity issues in Maker culture
(Raleigh, NC) — The NCSU Libraries has received a $2,500 University Diversity Mini-Grant from the NC State Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED) to fund a series of hands-on workshops and public talks by guest lecturers designed to increase and sustain gender diversity in the Libraries Makerspaces.
Targeting women in STEM fields, the Spring 2016 “Making Space” event series is a collaborative initiative between the NCSU Libraries Makerspaces, NC State’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Village, College of Textiles faculty, and the College of Engineering’s Women in Engineering Program. The series elaborates upon a pilot e-textiles workshop presented by NCSU Libraries and WISE.
The grant is one of nine awarded by OIED in its 2015-2016 grant cycle, and is the first University Diversity Mini-Grant received by the NCSU Libraries.
“Making Space” organizers hope that the public talks help raise awareness among women about access to tools and technology, thus closing a persistent gender gap across STEM fields. The corresponding workshops aim to lower barriers to entry for first-time users of makerspaces and serve as a networking event for women in the NC State community.
Planned events include:
● Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 4-5 p.m., D. H. Hill Library Auditorium
“Video Games, Psychology, and the User Experience with Dr. Celia Hodent (Epic Games)” is a public talk and discussion. Dr. Celia Hodent holds a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology and has translated neuroscience knowledge into game design features for UbiSoft Paris, UbiSoft Montreal, and LucasArts. She joined Epic Games in 2013 and has worked on games including Assassin’s Creed and Star Wars: First Assault.
● Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 5:30-6:30 p.m., D. H. Hill Library Auditorium
“User Experience in Video Game Design” is a hands-on game design workshop led by Dr. Celia Hodent of Epic Games. (Free registration required; no experience necessary)
● Thursday, March 31, 2016, 3-4 p.m., D. H. Hill Library Technology Sandbox
“Teknikio Founder Deren Guler: Engineering an Engineering Toolset for Girls- and Boys Too” is a public talk and discussion. Sibel Deren Guler is the creator of Teknikio, a series of toolkits for embedding technology into anything, with a particular emphasis on providing hands-on science and mathematics experiences for young girls. Guler will discuss her research and testing strategies for designing girl-centric or gender-neutral toolsets.
● Thursday, March 31, 2016, 6-9 p.m., D. H. Hill Library Technology Sandbox
“Future Wearables” is a hands-on e-textiles workshop led by Sibel Deren Guler of Teknikio. (Free registration required; no experience necessary)
● Friday, April 1, 2016, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., D. H. Hill Library Technology Sandbox
“Future Wearables” is a hands-on e-textiles workshop led by Sibel Deren Guler of Teknikio. (Free registration required; no experience necessary)
About the NCSU Libraries Makerspaces
The NCSU Libraries Makerspace program encompasses spaces and services at the D. H. Hill Jr. and Hunt libraries that offer access to tools and technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics prototyping platforms and workstations, and sewing machines, as well as materials and shared expertise, and are open to all NCSU students, faculty, and staff. Visit go.ncsu.edu/make for more information.
About the NC State University Diversity Mini-Grant program
The University Diversity Mini-Grant program is administered by the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED). Funding projects up to $3,000, the annual project seed grant program was started in 2010 by the Office of the Provost, through the Vice Provost for Institutional Equity & Diversity, to support the implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives and research projects that further the academic mission of the university. Visit oied.ncsu.edu/diversity/university-diversity-mini-grant-program for more information.
For more information on the NCSU Libraries “Making Space” event series, visit www.lib.ncsu.edu/events/series/making-space