Making
U Michigan-Flint Taps Local Makerspace for Learning History
The University of Michigan-Flint Department of History has purchased 15 passes for Factory Two, a makerspace facility a 10-minute walk from campus, that will allow students to go in and use the space’s resources for their projects.
The makerspace includes a darkroom, a metal shop, a blacksmithing forge, laser and vinyl cutters, a soldering workbench and 3D, textile and flatstock printing. To gain access to the tools and work space, participants must first take how-to sessions to be able to check out the equipment.
The idea was kicked off by History Associate Professor Thomas Henthorn, who teaches a class that uses the Factory Two forge to allow students to learn blacksmithing firsthand. Those students…