Capstone season is here, and the clock is ticking for seniors at the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace.
February, or "Febrication," is the make-or-break time to launch your capstone, as makerspace tools are popular and tool certifications fill up quickly.
If you wait past February, you could miss the chance to perfect your design - according to makerspace director Benjamin Jones, "March or April may be too late."
It's never too early to begin your project. Seniors can book makerspace time now and avoid being the capstone student left scrambling without access to the tools they need. Each year, the Ground Floor Makerspace at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub is flooded with seniors in March and April, and many latecomers get turned away due to capacity issues.
"Makerspace foot traffic steadily increases as the spring semester progresses," says Olivia Belk, unit coordinator for the 1819 Makerspace. "In April alone we had over 1,500 visits last year, which is a 50% jump from the months prior. April is easily our busiest month of the year. At that point, seniors should be trained up and working on their capstones in the makerspace, not visiting for the first time."
Febrication was launched to spread awareness among seniors in February: Now is the time to start your capstone. The 1819 Makerspace is offering dozens of workshops and certifications to help seniors transform their ideas into something tangible. Browse all sessions here.
For safety reasons, many makerspace tools require certifications or in-person guidance. These pieces of equipment face extremely high demand, so register for trainings or time blocks early if they could be in your future.
Identify the equipment you'll use early on, and then complete makerspace trainings during Febrication before competition heats up. By doing so, you'll unlock your capstone's potential before crunch time hits in March and April.
Some of the most in-demand workshops at the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace include:
A capstone project usually requires more than a strong idea. Tools, training and hands-on experience are often what turn an idea into a finished project.
That's why the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace continues to attract graduating seniors. As Greater Cincinnati's largest makerspace, the 12,000-square-foot facility offers top-of-the-line equipment for projects of all kinds.
February is a brief month, but it's a critical period for seniors as they ramp up their capstones. March and April will arrive soon, and those who jump in then may find themselves stressed out about packed training sessions and long waits for tools.
Don't be the senior who gets left behind in April. Capstone season is on, and the 1819 Makerspace is open and ready for Febrication.
Featured image at top: Students working on a capstone at 1819 Makerspace. Photo/UC Marketing + Communications
