Engineering can become bogged down by calculations, drawings and theories behind complicated methods and technology. Students pursuing a degree in Engineering are taught how to solve problems and predict things like how much strain certain materials can endure, but some say there is not enough of actually “doing” in real-time — not enough of applying the theory into something that is actionable.
The UW-Makerspace is giving students and staff the opportunity and space to put the theory into practice with state of the art technology — allowing engineers, artists, designers and entrepreneurs to actualize their ideas and projects.
Lennon Rodgers, the director of the Makerspace — formally known as Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Lab — came to UW-Madison three years ago to develop the space. After receiving a Ph.D. in Mechanical…