Walking into Room V1 at Cubberley Community Center, you might expect to hear the hum of 3D printers or the whirring of saws. Instead, it’s often the sound of collaboration that takes over the room. Whether it’s sharing ideas, testing out designs, or huddling around a computer to model different prototypes, the students in the room grow together.
For students across Palo Alto, MakeX is a student makerspace with a decade-long history full of student innovation. Founded in 2014, the space is a place where students can explore interests and build on their ideas.
For senior and student mentor Khai Gordon, his journey into the engineering world started in 7th grade, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year that he went to the makerspace on a regular basis.
“I wanted to find an extracurricular that would let me express this interest,” Gordon said. “That’s when I started showing up to MakeX more. You get to engage with the community and gain a lot of perspectives and hear a lot of ideas. There’s also a good variety of machines to use, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking tools, and more.”
While many students across the city are familiar with club robotics labs and teams, where students are often focused on one robot and a goal, Gordon said that MakeX differs because it provides students with a place to explore a wider range of projects and ideas.
“Robotics labs are more focused on robotics things … their tools are all for the purpose of making a robot,” Gordon said. “While at MakeX, there’s a greater variety of what you can make, such as stickers, 3D prints, tables, embroidered things, and electrical-based things. So, there’s a lot more variety when it comes to MakeX.”
In this makerspace, the projects often connect a basic hobby or idea with higher levels of science and engineering. Gordon used the makerspace to develop his personal project by utilizing his passion and the resources at MakeX.
“One cool thing I made was my personal project of using pH to track meat spoilage,” Gordon said. “I used MakeX to help me create a 3D printed base in order to hold my device while I was testing it out.”
Additionally, Gordon has seen other students work on things that fit their passions with the resources that MakeX provides.
“I saw someone making a collection of bowls using logs from trees,” Gordon said. “I’ve seen people make keyboards from 3D printers, and also light up displays using tools from the electrical room.”
Students have not only been able to create things for their own personal use but also to help those in their community. Lucile Nguyen, a junior at Gunn High School, explains the current projects she is working on.
“I’m working on a 3D printed plaque for my teacher who recently got diagnosed with cancer,” Nguyen said. “I’m also making a video with my friends with a bunch of staff and students mentioning one word about her to basically just make her day, and we’re planning to show her next week.”
Not only are students able to work on their projects, but they also get the opportunity to be mentors to others. Not only do they guide the new students with their projects, but they also teach them how to safely use the tools in the makerspace. As a student leader, Gordon tries to empower students who want to try something new while instructing them at the same time, which allows for their success.
“I guide the younger students to use this workspace to its full potential,” Gordon said. “I don’t do the work for them; instead, I guide them to the correct answer. That way, they can learn how to use these tools on their own and eventually start helping out other people.”
Despite its successes, the makerspace also faces challenges regarding time and square footage. While student mentors like Gordon have access to the space 24/7, the general public is limited to Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
“People who are visiting can only show up at certain times, so that only gives them a few hours to work on their projects,” Gordon said. “It isn’t really a lot. The building is also really on the smaller scale, so it’s hard to fit in all these tools in order to meet everyone’s needs.”
A 5th grader from Fairmeadow Elementary said the space gives younger students a place to work on hands-on projects and be creative. For example, the student was able to create a rock painting as a Mother’s Day gift.
“I’m working on some rock painting for Mother’s Day gifts,” the student said. “I like 3D printers, and every time I come, I can try different tools and make new things.”
Above all, the true value of MakeX comes from providing access to the technology. For some, the space is also a great way to earn volunteer hours while networking with other students. For others, MakeX is simply a space to build whatever comes to mind.
“I want people to know it [MakeX] exists,” Gordon said. “I really want students to know that there is a community of people who are willing to help them out and give them the resources that they need and may not have at home. All you have to do is just come in with an idea.”
