Since UNC-Chapel Hill’s Be A Maker (BeAM) initiative launched in 2016, more then 4,000 students have ventured into and gotten involved in the University’s makerspaces. What compels students to visit these spaces where they make physical objects — and why do they keep coming back? WRAL-TV visits Carolina’s makerspaces and takes a look at how they inspire and equip students who have grown up in the digital age to embrace making as part of their personal, educational and professional pursuits. How does BeAM enrich the classroom experience for students and help prepare the workforce of tomorrow?
WRAL-TV: Students have new outlet for energy: Making stuff
Reporter: Mandy Mitchell
In the 2017-2018 academic year:
● 3,965 unique users of UNC makerspaces (400 of which were students using BeAM to perform research).
● 33,308 user hours with an average of 142 visits per day. BeAM went from zero users when it was established in 2016 to nearly 4,000 users in only two years.
● 150 courses supported by makerspaces.
● 1,335 equipment trainings and workshops on a variety of topics.
| UNC-CH