The Alan and Wendy Wilson Innovation Lab team was selected for the Spring 2024 Job Well Done Group Project Award. The group was nominated by Lynda Aldana, Associate Director of Technical Services for the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery. From left to right, the team consisted of Jason Conti, Jake Vann, Audrey Nzombet, and project leader, Jim Doran.
The goal impact of this project was to provide UMBC students with opportunities to gain familiarity and develop skills with emerging technologies. The lab opened in July 15, 2024, located on the first floor of the library. The student body and academic departments, especially Humanities, Engineering, and Information Technology, were excited and eager to utilize the space for learning. The group wanted to ensure to follow a student-centered approach where everyone is welcome to learn, utilize, and create. The new space has energized the Library itself, optimistic platform for campus collaboration. As the charter also visible space on the first floor of the Library and is open to all students.
The staff of I-ITS (Library Innovation & Technology Services) project of bringing the library maker space online. In addition to day-to-day IT needs of the library, the I-ITS team worked closely departments and various vendors to accomplish the following:
- Interviewed managers from other maker spaces, visiting Identified appropriate 3D printers, scanners, laser cutters, for a new maker space
- Learned how to use the equipment
- Developed training and guidelines for lab users
- Identified starter projects appropriate for the campus
- Connected with campus partners to promote the lab
They have a steady stream of people coming to use the lab for projects or to learn how to use the equipment. The I-ITS staff even noticed that students from different academic disciplines who might otherwise not have the chance are meeting and developing projects together.
This project required coordination between many groups: Facilities Management, Library administration and staff, campus leadership, the Office of Institutional Advancement, vendors, and other maker spaces at other institutions and organizations that were willing to share their insight
If anyone ever needs an example of a space at UMBC that embodies UMBC’s mission to value each other as whole people, come together to learn, solve problems, create new things, and just have fun — the Alan and Wendy Wilson Innovation Lab is the place to be.