By Sophia Raspanti
Last week, I decided to check an item off my “UNC Bucket List”… one I’ve been excited to try for a long time: getting my certification at the BeAM makerspace!
If you’ve ever wandered by one of the four BeAM spaces across Carolina’s campus, you’ll know that it’s a space filled with smiles, laughter, creativity, and joy. So, after years of being on the outside looking in, I decided to take my first step in becoming a maker.
Before I was allowed to enter the facility, I logged into Canvas to sign a safety waiver and take a short quiz. Next, I signed up to complete my in-person certification.
When I arrived at the BeAM space in Carmichael Residence Hall, I had no idea what to expect. The space was filled with futuristic-looking machines, colorful materials, and drawers filled with tools. After taking a moment to look around, I sat down at a large wooden table with a group of fellow Tar Heels and the orientation session began.
After a warm introduction, our instructor gave us an overview of all the amenities BeAM has to offer. From 3-D printers, embroidery and sewing machines, vinyl plotters, woodcraft tools, T-shirt presses, and more… the creative possibilities seemed endless. Our first task was to learn to use a foam cutting machine, which uses a heated filament to precisely cut through soft, foam materials. While the idea of having my hands so close to a heated object was a bit daunting at first, the BeAM instructor made me feel safe and confident in my abilities.
After learning the basics of the foam cutting machine, we moved on to woodcraft. I’ve used power tools a few times before, but after a short demonstration and additional instruction, I felt even more confident than ever.
Finally, after we had wrapped up with woodcraft, our instructor gave us a walking tour of the facility to showcase all the amazing machinery we could learn to use in future certification sessions. And just like that… I had earned my in-person certification!
What’s next?
As an avid sewist, I know I’ll be returning to the makerspace to learn to use the embroidery machine. I’d also love to learn to use the 3-D printers and maybe even dabble in designing a unique T-shirt on the press.
Overall, the process was relatively short, and I left with a smile on my face. If you haven’t had a chance to explore one of the many BeAM spaces on UNC’s campus, I highly recommend setting aside an hour or two to earn your in-person certification. The possibilities for creativity are endless!