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Creat’R Lab Hosts Open House and Launches Winter Quarter Maker Meetup Series

The Creat’R Lab kicked off the new year with an open house and the relaunch of Maker Meetups.

The Creat’R Lab Open House on Monday, January 13 served as an opportunity for the campus community to explore the lab’s upgrades and learn about its offerings, which include cutting-edge tools like 3D printers, VR headsets, Cricut cutting machines, laser cutters, and sewing and embroidery equipment.

“After a period of renovations, the goal was to invite people in and show them the changes,” said Innovative Media Librarian Alvaro Alvarez. During the open house, visitors had the chance to see the equipment in action, participate in demonstrations, and envision how they might use the lab for their own projects. Attendees included individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as medical students and facilities staff, highlighting the lab’s wide appeal.

Based on the success of the open house, the Creat’R Lab Team hopes to host similar events in the future, potentially once a quarter or annually, to showcase new equipment and updates.

Building on this momentum, the Creat’R Lab relaunched Maker Meetups this quarter to encourage exploration of maker technologies. These casual meetups, which had previously been on pause since the pandemic, have been revitalized with the hiring Maker Services Coordinator Brendon Wheeler.

The Maker Meetups are designed to lower the barriers for students and UCR community members to engage with STEM and maker fields, regardless of their experience level. “It’s about opening doors for people who might feel discouraged or unfamiliar with these topics,” Brendon explained.

This quarter’s meetups cover topics like robotics, music creation, 3D printing, and more. The lab has partnered with campus clubs and faculty to bring in guest speakers and provide insights into emerging technologies and real-world applications.

“We want to encourage participation from everyone,” Brendon said. “You don’t need to have a background in STEM to join, this is a space for exploration and learning.”

The Maker Meetups aim to foster a sense of community while equipping participants with skills and knowledge to bring their ideas to life. With plans to host these meetups regularly, the Creat’R Lab continues to solidify its role as a hub for creativity and innovation at UCR.