Art In-Person: Hands-On in DU's Makerspace

Inventors' Playground: Exercising Your Creativity in a Makerspace
One In-Person Session
Tue., Mar. 18, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm MT

The word says it all: makerspace. It’s a place where you can make just about anything your brain can imagine. Makerspaces started popping up all over the metro area a few years ago and their popularity continues to climb. In this 2-hour course, with guidance from your instructor, you get to stretch your fingers and creativity as you make an object in the University of Denver’s state-of-the-art makerspace, all while learning about the tools, materials and capabilities of makerspaces. “I think of a makerspace as an experimental playground, a place where you can come and test new ideas, mindsets and ideologies,” says DU professor Michael Caston. “You can trade ideas and test them out quickly and if you fail, you’re going to learn something from it.” The makerspace is a fun place to tinker with new technologies and learn as you go. What will you make in class? You get to choose from a wide variety of items that could include a toy car or catapult or decorative personalized sign among others. “In a makerspace you can make anything and everything related to innovation, entrepreneurship and problem-solving―they’re all welcome,” Caston says. “It’s a chance to do something fun, unique and impactful.” Sign up early; this class is limited to 15 students.

Michael Caston is the executive director of the Innovation Labs, a project-based learning center at the University of Denver. He also serves as the faculty director for the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Living & Learning Community where students learn about and experience entrepreneurship and innovation through hands-on activities in a year-long program.