UAF Makerspace

Join us in the Makerspace this Friday for a Halloween workshop! Learn how to laser cut decorations for Halloween

That’s a wrap!

We hope that you enjoyed last week’s mini-grant showcase, highlighting some pretty cool projects that students did this past semester.

We felt pretty lucky to witness these projects go from ideas to actual functioning solutions to help with community-based problems that we as Alaskans experience.

If you are a UAF student and have an idea for a project that is either a personal or a class related project, please stop by the Makerspace (location in our profile) and let us know! Or fee free to DM us through instagram and/or Facebook!

We will be looking for projects to fund for fall semester of 2022.
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The Solar Panel Data Logger Container Project was developed to support the Alaska Center for Energy and Power’s (ACEP) data collecting needs.

ACEP researchers use data driven science to help develop practical, cost-effective energy solutions for Alaska and beyond.

Given how much data is collected and the vast spatial footprint of where this data is collected, this group of students wanted to make a self-contained solar powered data collector box that could be used to collect data that ACEP researchers need in order to inform their research.

Data is gold! Without data you have no ground to stand on in driving science-driven change.

It is so cool to see students trying to help streamline the collection process for researchers in their community!
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🌧 Automatic Rain Gauge 🌧

Landslides are often triggered when large rain events saturate hill slopes and cause soil to become unstable and mobile.

When Climate Scholars Program student, Michelle Ramirez spoke with Haines geologists and community members, she learned that large rainfall events are a strong predictor of landslides. Evenmore, many Haines residents were traumatized every time there was now a large rainfall following the landslide event.

Ramirez wanted to develop an at-home rain gauge that automatically gave readings and not one you had to go out and check periodically.

Her design uses and ultrasonic sensor and 3-d printed container to read out the amount of rain that has fallen.

Another awesome project rooted in empathy and helping to inform and empower one of our unique communities here in Alaska.

Fantastic work, Michelle!
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🚤 Anti Clog Boat Intake Project 🚤

After speaking to members of the Coast Guard who responded to the Haines Landslide, Climate Scholars students, Alex and Anthony learned that Coast Guard jet boat engine intakes were clogging due to large amounts of landslide debris in the water.

They set to work brainstorming and testing different ideas. Their final design was affectionately dubbed "the garbage disposal" which is an apt descriptor.

They designed a second impellar to chop up any debris before going through the engine intake.

Our first responders who respond to natural disasters like the Haines landslide, have to be able to work quickly and efficiently in the wake of devastation. To have to spend time unclogging their engine intakes, takes away valuable energy that could be focused on search and rescue efforts.

Way to seek out a solution for our first responders, guys!
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💡The Happy Lamp💡

The long dark winter days and nights in the far north are tough! Ask anyone who lives in Fairbanks.

The solution - a sunrise alarm clock that literally simulates the sunrise when the actual sun is late to rise.

ES101 students designed a lamp that fades beautifully from red to orange to white light, encouraging the user to get out of bed and seize the day.

To set the alarm, one simply presses a button on the side and 7 hours later the "sun" will rise.

If you have spent anytime in Alaska during the winter, than you know how hard it is to get out of bed when it’s still dark. The happy lamp sheds light on a design that could really help brighten your day!

Awesome job, Team Happy Lamp!
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💦 Windshield Rain Sensor 💦

On December 2, 2020, a deadly landslide released and devastated the community of Haines,
Alaska. A couple of students empathized with Haines residents and took it upon themselves to create projects centered around helping inform and forecast potential future rain induced events.

UAF Climate Scholars student, Maya Russin, felt that community-based science was necessary for both collecting more data and involving community members in landslide prevention and response.

For her project, Maya developed a windshield rain sensor that collects data as cars move around town. She envisions the sensor kit being used as an educational tool in communities and also be tied to a database that the community residents would have access to.

Awesome job, Maya! It’s projects like these that can make big impacts down the road for entire communities!
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✨ IT’S MINI-GRANT SPRING 2022 PROJECTS SHOWCASE TIME! ✨

The spring semester is over, but the excitement surrounding all the incredible work that students did in the Makerspace is far from over!

Last semester, students had the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant to help fund projects that they set out to complete. The learning and growth that these students experienced during their journeys was inspiring to say the least. Students experienced learning transformations as they pushed through project obstacles.

This week, we will be showcasing two projects each day that utilized mini-grant funds, which were presented on at the end of the semester.

We’re already looking forward to the fall semester and how we can make these funds even more available to students, but for now let’s kick back and enjoy a week of celebrating some really cool projects!
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On April 7, UAF’s T3Alliance member, Upward Bound, played host to representatives of over 30 T3 Alliance programs from as far away as Mississippi, Ohio, Florida, Hawaii and Panama.

The Makerspace stop on the tour was a huge crowd pleaser!

Click the link below to read all about the tour and takeaways from attending participants in Alaska Center for Energy and Power's writeup!

Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) ACEP - Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP)

T3 Alliance comes to the UAF Makerspace!

There was a lot of energy buzzing around last week in the Makerspace when T3 Alliance staff and members from around the country converged upon UAF to learn about our creative and collaborative "special sauce" that makes us so awesome here in the far north! Attendees traveled from as far away as Mississippi, Ohio, Florida, Hawaii, and even Panama to see the UAF T3 Makerspace in action and understand the structure that has made this resource successful.

T3 Alliance members had invaluable face time with UAF students, researchers and staff while being immersed in the Makerspace. Attendees experienced many opportunities to discuss curriculum integration, room for partnerships and research and outreach opportunities during their visit.

Here are some photos from the action-packed day!
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Are you a UAF community member with an interest in making?
The UAF T3 Alliance Makerspace is for you! Our makerspace is a collaborative, community work space for creating, learning, exploring, sharing, and having fun.
Follow our page to stay up to date on what's happening in the makerspace including events, student projects, and how to get involved!
We can't wait for what's to come and hope you will join us!