Vocademy Riverside, aka a new local "maker space" just opened a few weeks ago, and asked me if I would be willing to teach classes on 3D printing.
what is a Maker space?
its basically a work shop for rent, they have all the high priced welding and wood working and laser cutting and 3d printing equipment that you would love to get access to. On top of that if you don't know how to weld or are not a carpenter, or a 3D modeling professional, then they have classes that can help get you there. Makers space first came around in the 1970's with your first computers but it took many years for the idea to spread. Now they are all across the world. I have been reading about them in tech blogs for many years but they were always to far away like New York or San Francisco, Or even LA which is still to far to go often.
Just a few months ago Riverside got it first maker space "Vocademy" (from their website in the about section) Vocademy is an idea that I have had for many years. A place that teaches “hands-on” vocational, shop and Do-It-Yourself skills. Then we add a “dream workshop” for those in the community that want to learn, build, create and become “Makers.” I want to bring back “shop class for everyone!” I have witnessed the demise of DIY (Do-It-Yourself), and hands-on skills in this country. Not for lack of people who want or need these skills and knowledge, but for lack of places to learn and use such skills. Many agree that once this country loses its ability to make and build things (with our own hands), we will have lost what made America great. Edison, Franklin, the Wright Brothers, Harley Davidson, Apple, HP and many others started in small workshops with basic tools. Many more Americans should have the same opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and create their dreams. America used to have “shop” classes. Whether it was wood shop, metal shop, industrial arts or even art classes, it was a place for makers, inventors and dreamers. Those who wanted to use their hands, in addition to their minds. It was the ideal place for those that love to tinker, to take things apart and put them together. The starting place for the many people who love to to design, to build, and to create! Some were lucky enough to have a dad or an uncle that had a small workshop and were willing to share their know-how. But now these places are very rare, if not completely gone. For many, a personal workshop just an expensive dream. But the people who still want these skills and need such a place still exists. That’s why we are working hard to make Vocademy a reality and create a place for you to make and learn whatever YOU desire. Join us! Gene Sherman Founder of Vocademy
Gene, the founder, asked me if i would teach the classes on 3D printing, and i had to take the opportunity as part of the deal i get free membership and can even earn free classes. I have wanted to learn how to weld and wood work for many years. Also this means I now have 5 3D printers to work with and I will be working on building my own 3D printer.
Teaching:
Teaching is very new to me, never thought before this Job, but now with a few classes behind me, I have to say I love it. We offer 3 classes for 3D printing the first is a 30min free class just to go over basic info and give some safety tips. The 2nd ID205 is the intro to both the software and the printers and where to get models to be printed. The 3rd is a walk through on your first print and you get to go home with a 3D printed object of your choose. I am also working on a few more levels of classes where we will go over more advanced subjects. like printing on glass beds using Vapor to finish the prints, and even a class on building your own 3D printer.
I would like to invite all my friends down to Vocademy to get a tour of the place and if you let me know when you are headed there i will meet up with you.
for more info and list of class times be sure to check out their website
http://www.vocademy.com
its basically a work shop for rent, they have all the high priced welding and wood working and laser cutting and 3d printing equipment that you would love to get access to. On top of that if you don't know how to weld or are not a carpenter, or a 3D modeling professional, then they have classes that can help get you there. Makers space first came around in the 1970's with your first computers but it took many years for the idea to spread. Now they are all across the world. I have been reading about them in tech blogs for many years but they were always to far away like New York or San Francisco, Or even LA which is still to far to go often.
Just a few months ago Riverside got it first maker space "Vocademy" (from their website in the about section) Vocademy is an idea that I have had for many years. A place that teaches “hands-on” vocational, shop and Do-It-Yourself skills. Then we add a “dream workshop” for those in the community that want to learn, build, create and become “Makers.” I want to bring back “shop class for everyone!” I have witnessed the demise of DIY (Do-It-Yourself), and hands-on skills in this country. Not for lack of people who want or need these skills and knowledge, but for lack of places to learn and use such skills. Many agree that once this country loses its ability to make and build things (with our own hands), we will have lost what made America great. Edison, Franklin, the Wright Brothers, Harley Davidson, Apple, HP and many others started in small workshops with basic tools. Many more Americans should have the same opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and create their dreams. America used to have “shop” classes. Whether it was wood shop, metal shop, industrial arts or even art classes, it was a place for makers, inventors and dreamers. Those who wanted to use their hands, in addition to their minds. It was the ideal place for those that love to tinker, to take things apart and put them together. The starting place for the many people who love to to design, to build, and to create! Some were lucky enough to have a dad or an uncle that had a small workshop and were willing to share their know-how. But now these places are very rare, if not completely gone. For many, a personal workshop just an expensive dream. But the people who still want these skills and need such a place still exists. That’s why we are working hard to make Vocademy a reality and create a place for you to make and learn whatever YOU desire. Join us! Gene Sherman Founder of Vocademy
Gene, the founder, asked me if i would teach the classes on 3D printing, and i had to take the opportunity as part of the deal i get free membership and can even earn free classes. I have wanted to learn how to weld and wood work for many years. Also this means I now have 5 3D printers to work with and I will be working on building my own 3D printer.
Teaching:
Teaching is very new to me, never thought before this Job, but now with a few classes behind me, I have to say I love it. We offer 3 classes for 3D printing the first is a 30min free class just to go over basic info and give some safety tips. The 2nd ID205 is the intro to both the software and the printers and where to get models to be printed. The 3rd is a walk through on your first print and you get to go home with a 3D printed object of your choose. I am also working on a few more levels of classes where we will go over more advanced subjects. like printing on glass beds using Vapor to finish the prints, and even a class on building your own 3D printer.
I would like to invite all my friends down to Vocademy to get a tour of the place and if you let me know when you are headed there i will meet up with you.
for more info and list of class times be sure to check out their website
http://www.vocademy.com
