As the Maker Movement continues to gain momentum across industry, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is creating opportunities on campus to foster innovation and entrepreneurship with faculty and students through high-tech makerspaces.
Recently, Theo Dingemans, professor of applied physical science at UNC-Chapel Hill, participated in a panel discussion at the ACC Smithsonian Creativity and Innovation Festival at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Dingemans shared how the University’s maker culture is helping to foster creativity and innovation by breaking down silos.
“Innovation is an open mindset where you recognize what innovation may become because it’s not always clear,” says Dingemans. “It’s creating an environment where people can design and do the things they want without borders, without limitations.”
Often, makerspaces may not be located close to one another, making it harder for hands-on collaboration and spontaneity of ideas between faculty and students. Dingemans’ polymer lab at Carolina is adjacent to a makerspace, and although they are currently two separate spaces, he envisions they will eventually become one.
| UNC-CH