The Innovative Wyrkshop is the largest makerspace at the University of Wyoming and gives makers the opportunity to use a variety of technology, ranging from 3D printers to sewing machines.
The Wyrkshop has been on campus since July of 2017. Makerspace Coordinator Tyler Kerr has been with the program from the start.
“The tech tools and the technology and equipment, hardware and software that we offer here is used increasingly across industries. 3D printers aren’t just for toys,” Kerr said. “They’re used really across science, technology, engineering, arts and math. You can be anybody to use this stuff. You don’t have to be an engineer.”
Kerr said that each semester, the Wyrkshop typically offers about 30 workshops a week. Workshops are 60 minutes long and are open to the public. The most popular courses are 3D printing, laser printing and woodshop.
“We have about a million and a half in state-of-the-art equipment in here, and we try and keep everything on a good rotation so that students have really good access to be able to take any type of workshop to use any type of tool that we have,” Kerr said.
Lead Instructional Designer Victoria Evans and Outreach Specialist Emily Sorensen work with makers and the surrounding community at the Wyrkshop.
“Each day is a little different. Some days, I get to teach makers how to use our 3D printers, laser cutters, and other tech,” Evans said. “Other days, I get to create new courses, give tours, or work with the other Wyrkshops around the state.”
“During the summertime I will likely be teaching or prepping for a summer camp we host or cohost. If I am not working on a summer camp then my time is gamifying our current classes for a younger k-12 crowd,” Sorensen said. “This means animating 8-bit sprites in colorful and exotic places to teach young makers about safety, 3D printing, lasers, and more.”
Kerr said that the Wyrkshop sees student, entrepreneur and community involvement. Currently, the Wyrkshop is open 10-6 Monday through Friday, but support from the Wyoming Department of Education will increase availability.
“They are going to help us build an external door to the makerspace. This means we will be able to be open until 9 pm most days and also open on weekends,” Kerr said. “That makes us more available to the community at large.”
Anyone can come to the Wyrkshop and learn something new. Sorensen said she enjoys witnessing creation processes and teaching makers how to utilize the technology.
“I have seen firsthand the excitement in a child’s face when they design a 3D model, print it, and then get to hold it in their hands. It is my favorite thing to watch someone’s project or design be complete,” Sorensen said.
Evans said that the Wyrkshop is a great place for community members to share creativity and skills with one another.
“It’s a place to express yourself through creation and to make your ideas into realities. We help lift up the makers of tomorrow while empowering the makers of today,” Evans said. “We teach makers both how to use the tech and how to think critically to solve problems. We also teach life skills like budgeting, auto maintenance, and meal planning.”
For the upcoming fall semester, Kerr said he is looking forward to seeing the outcome of a program known as Design After Dark. More workshops will be published on the website before the semester starts.
“Design after Dark is one that we’re really excited about for the fall,” Kerr said. “If students tune in and check our website as we approach the end of August, we will start publishing out for the entire semester, every workshop that’s available.”
“I hope to see more outreach in the future for the Wyrkshop. Having students in the space is amazing but we have a huge untapped potential of community members and younger makers that would flourish with the tech and tools we have available,” Sorensen said.
Evans said that she is also looking forward to Design After Dark, as well as new programming that the Wyrkshop has to offer.
“I’m really excited for our new programming. We’ll be starting some really fun workshops, hosting lots of exciting special events, and best of all, making ourselves more accessible,” Evans said.
Kerr said that the most important thing the Wyrkshop community wants to instill is that anyone can be a maker and work on their own projects.
“You don’t have to be an engineer. You don’t have to be tech savvy. You just have to have a great idea,” Kerr said. “So, if you have a great idea, we will teach you how to use the tools to make that idea a reality. This place is not off limits to anybody.”
“Your ideas are never wrong, and you should always collaborate and challenge yourself when creating and crafting because it always results in a better outcome,” Sorensen said.
For more information on the Innovative Wyrkshop and programs, please visit the following link.
