About People Mission Statement
The Bowdoin College Maker Space began modestly in the H&L offices of Academic Technology in 2016 with a 3D printer that was assembled over a weekend at the Open Bench Project Maker Space in Portland. From there we (and all of our offices) were moved to Sarah Orne Jewett Hall in 2020. We expanded to add additional (and much better) Prusa 3D printers and a snazzy vinyl cutter.
Over the Summer of 2023 we obtained a larger space in 101 Jewett Hall and received funding to purchase some work-ready furniture and a consumer-grade laser engraver.
We look forward to expanding and serving the Bowdoin community.
People
Staff
- David Israel is the primary person in Academic Technology (ATC) and founder of the Maker Space. He supervises the students and works with all of the stakeholders to make the space the best it can possibly be for Bowdoin. His day job also include lots of work with faculty and other departments with WordPress, Drones, 3D Scanning, and other creative uses of technology in the context of academia. [email protected]
- Podcast Studio: Colin Kelley – [email protected]
- VR Lab: Paul Benham – [email protected]
Student Lab Instructors
- Clair Chen ’26 – [email protected]
- Daniel Isaacs ’27 – [email protected]
- Benjamin Pinto Arroyo ’25 – Pinto is a Physics major from Santiago, Chile who enjoys the intricacies of CAD and learning the Japanese language. [email protected]
Advisory
- Jackie Brown – Visual Arts
- Nate Hintze – Student Activities
- Dale Syphers – Physics
- Ben King – Physics
- Mike Ranen – Academic Affairs
- Fernando Nascimento – Digital and Computational Studies
Mission Statement*
At the Bowdoin College Maker Space, our mission is to cultivate a dynamic and inclusive environment that empowers students, faculty, and the wider community to explore, create, and innovate through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects.
We believe in the transformative power of making, where diverse ideas converge, and intellectual curiosity thrives. By combining the liberal arts and the maker movement, we strive to foster a culture of collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving that transcends traditional boundaries. We also have fun.
Our Maker Space serves as a hub for creativity and exploration, providing access to tools, technologies, and resources. We aim to inspire and support individuals from all disciplines, backgrounds, and skill levels in their pursuit of personal and academic growth.
Through workshops, mentorship, collaboration with faculty, coursework support, collaboration with the VR Lab and Podcast Studio, and experiential learning opportunities, we encourage students to experiment, take risks, and learn from failure. We value the process of iteration and understand that success often emerges from a willingness to push beyond comfort zones.
As a liberal arts institution, we recognize the intrinsic value of integrating art, design, science, technology, and humanities. Our Maker Space encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, encouraging students to bridge gaps between seemingly unrelated fields to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity of thought, identity, and perspective is celebrated. We strive to create a safe and supportive space that respects and embraces individuals from all backgrounds, fostering a community that values equity, accessibility, and inclusivity.
Ultimately, our goal is to cultivate a new generation of creative thinkers, tinkerers, and innovators who are equipped with the skills, mindset, and passion to shape a better future. Through the exploration of the liberal arts within a maker culture, we aim to empower individuals to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
*(V 1.0 with a little help from some friendly AI)