Summary

The Maker Access Pass is an educational program designed by the Innovation Wyrkshop to provide foundational training on the use of various makerspace equipment. Initially created for the University of Wyoming’s makerspace, the program has expanded across the state of Wyoming to various other makerspaces, offering both practical skills and safety knowledge to individuals engaged in the making community.

The Challenge

The Maker Access Pass offers a comprehensive curriculum with over 198 courses focusing on the operation of makerspace equipment and tools. Courses are designed for individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced users, and cover topics that range from basic 3D printing to more complex equipment like CNC machines and woodworking tools. The program is peer-reviewed to ensure accuracy, relevance, and adherence to safety protocols.

One of the core challenges the Maker Access Pass initially sought to address was the lack of standardized, accessible educational resources for individuals using makerspace tools. Many makerspaces offer a range of equipment but lack consistent training programs. This absence of formal training can lead to safety concerns, inefficiencies in tool usage, and a lack of accessibility for beginners or those unfamiliar with specific technologies. Additionally, as the program expanded to serve a broader audience, scalability and administrative workload became significant challenges.

Figure 1. Image of one of our most popular courses. The Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 101 course.

Target Population

The Maker Access Pass primarily targets individuals who wish to develop practical skills for using makerspace equipment, with a focus on those in Wyoming. This includes students, hobbyists, professionals, and community members looking to enhance their skills and pursue new opportunities in their fields. In addition, the program has extended its reach to pre-apprenticeship students through partnerships with local educational institutions and workforce development agencies. These efforts are aimed at preparing individuals for careers in industries critical to the state’s economy.

Program Structure

The Maker Access Pass is structured as a series of online, self-paced courses, typically comprising two to three phases. Each course is designed to be completed in 60 to 90 minutes, allowing participants to progress through the material at their own pace. The curriculum includes a variety of content types, such as instructional videos, written materials, and quizzes to test understanding. Peer review is a key element of the course development process, ensuring that the content remains accurate, up-to-date, and reflective of industry standards.

Figure 2. Image of the Maker Access Pass home page

In addition to providing practical skills, safety protocols are emphasized throughout the program to ensure that users are properly trained on the safe operation of tools and equipment. This focus on safety ensures that individuals are not only prepared to use the tools effectively but also to do so in a way that minimizes risk and promotes a safe working environment. Participants are required to demonstrate an understanding of these safety procedures before gaining access to certain equipment, helping to reinforce the importance of safety in the makerspace.

The Maker Access Pass functions as a "one-stop-shop" for users, allowing them to sign up for courses, complete the required training, and then reserve makerspace equipment—all from their device. This streamlined system enables students to complete their machine training and safety protocols before they even step foot in the makerspace. By offering this pre-training, the program helps alleviate questions and inquiries directed at staff, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks such as maintaining machines, cleaning the makerspace, and creating hands-on workshops for users. This not only enhances the user experience but also improves overall operational efficiency within the makerspace.

Additionally, we have incorporated Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data tracking into the equipment reservation system. This feature allows us to monitor usage patterns, track the number of reservations, and gather insights into how users are engaging with the makerspace resources. This data not only helps us optimize the reservation system but is also invaluable when applying for grant funding or reporting to donors. By showcasing the program’s impact on both the University community and the broader Laramie and statewide community, we can demonstrate the measurable success and continued growth of the Maker Access Pass.

Figure 3. Snapshot of KPI data from the Maker Access Pass reservation system

Key Designers

The Innovation Wyrkshop staff, is responsible for the creation and ongoing development of the Maker Access Pass. The program was developed by a team of makerspace professionals, including educators, engineers, and technology specialists, all of whom shared a commitment to providing high-quality, accessible training resources. The team’s passion for making and education has driven the creation of the Maker Access Pass.

Key Partners

The Maker Access Pass has expanded its reach through partnerships with key educational and workforce development organizations. Notably, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) and Laramie County Community College (LCCC) have collaborated with the Innovation Wyrkshop to develop specialized pre-apprenticeship courses. These courses focus on industries such as construction, healthcare, and manufacturing, helping individuals gain the foundational knowledge necessary for entering these fields. In late October 2024, the pre-apprenticeship program was officially launched, and since then, 15 students have successfully completed the program, gaining the skills required to enter critical industries. Upon completing the program, students receive digital badges, which they can store in their digital wallets and share with employers seeking apprentices for their programs.

Program Timeline

The Maker Access Pass was first launched in 2018 at the University of Wyoming. Over the course of the following years, the program expanded to include additional makerspaces across the state and forged key partnerships with workforce development and educational institutions. This expansion led to the creation of over 58 new courses, including those focused on pre-apprenticeships. In the past six years, the Maker Access Pass has experienced an average annual growth rate of 15.8%, demonstrating its increasing popularity and effectiveness in providing accessible makerspace education. While the program is still growing, the timeline thus far showcases the ability of the Maker Access Pass to scale and meet the evolving needs of its users.

Challenges

Despite its successes, the Maker Access Pass has faced several challenges, particularly around scalability and administrative workload. Initially hosted on the University of Wyoming’s Canvas platform, the program began to experience technical limitations as it expanded to serve additional makerspaces across the state. These challenges included issues with course sizes, storage management, and traffic to the site, all of which affected the platform’s ability to support a growing user base. To overcome these obstacles, the Innovation Wyrkshop split the Maker Access Pass into 23 separate Canvas pages. This helped to speed up page response times and mitigate some user frustrations with the system. However, this added additional challenges for our site administrator.

Another significant challenge has been the increased workload for the Innovation Wyrkshop staff. The Maker Access Pass currently has only one administrator responsible for overseeing the development, publication, and management of new courses. With each course taking between 40 to 60 hours to create and additional time required for editing, peer review, and final publishing, the administrative burden on staff has grown considerably. This has made it difficult to maintain the program’s expansion while ensuring the quality and timely delivery of new content.

These challenges have highlighted the need for ongoing adjustments and improvements to support the continued growth and success of the Maker Access Pass program.

Outcomes

The Maker Access Pass has had several positive outcomes since its inception. One of the most notable outcomes is the program’s success in certifying 12,872 members across Wyoming, empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to confidently use makerspace equipment. Additionally, the expansion of the program into six other makerspaces and its partnerships with DWS and LCCC have resulted in three pre-apprenticeship programs in critical industries, helping to build the future workforce in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare.

The digital badge system implemented as part of the program has allowed students to store and share their certifications with potential employers, fostering stronger connections between learners and employers in search of skilled apprentices. These outcomes underscore the Maker Access Pass’s ability to support both individual skill development and broader economic initiatives, demonstrating its impact not only in terms of personal empowerment but also in contributing to the local economy.

Overall, the Maker Access Pass has proven to be an innovative and effective tool for providing makerspace education at scale, despite the challenges encountered during its growth. With continued adjustments to infrastructure, staffing, and course content, the program is positioned for continued success and expansion in the future.

Contact

Emily Leinen, Makerspace Manager, University of Wyoming’s Innovation Wyrkshop

eschmid@uwyo.edu

Case Study

How the Maker Access Pass has Changed the Landscape for Rural Makerspace Education