The Evolution of the Collab-Lab

A Makerspace, a Tech Commons, and Ideation Place for Faculty and Students

Colleen Boff, Bowling Green State University Kim Fleshman, Bowling Green State University

Collab-Lab (opening Fall 2017)

The Collab-Lab is a hands-on, creative space for students, faculty, staff and community members to engage in collaborative work. Its goal is to support teams of innovators working together

to conceive, create, develop and refine new products and services leveraging the unique talents inherent to the University

community which is centered on design thinking.

Evolution of Lab

• 1999-2002 Student Technology Center (StudentTech) in William T. Jerome Library

• 2002-2007 in Saddlemire

• 2007-2009 in Hayes Hall

• 2009-2013 Academic Resource Center in Olscamp Hall

• 2013-2017 Student Technology Assistance Center (STAC) in William T. Jerome Library

• 1,000 square feet

• 2017—Collab-Lab in William T. Jerome Library

• 2,000 square feet

Information Technology Services University Libraries

Collab-Lab: The collaborators who make this work

• BGSU University Libraries

• BGSU Information Technology Services

• BGSU Graduate College

• The Vice President for Research & Economic Development

• Ohio Third Frontier Grant

Collab-Lab Staffing (still evolving)

Faculty Facilitator

• Approximately 20 hours/week

• 1 graduate assistant to help promote Collab-Lab (there may be 1 more)

• Primary responsibilities are to connect project leads with talent/expertise and to offer sessions on design thinking principles

• Additional positions TBD

Coordinator

• Full time, administrative staff

• Supervises 12 undergraduate student employees

• Supervises 1 graduate assistant to help with the OhioLINK ETDs

• Primary responsibilities are to monitor technology, supervise student employees and oversee ETD process

Budget

University

Libraries

Graduate

College

Information

Technology

Services

V.P. for Research & Economic

Development

Ohio Third

Frontier Grant

• Manager’s salary• 12 student

employees• Supplies for 3D

printers and Laser Cutter

• Graduate Student for ETDs

• Laser Cutter• 3D Printers (2)• 3D Scanner• 2 Oculus Rift

stations• 50 laptops• 6 Dual Screen

iMacs for video production

• Course buy-out for faculty facilitator

• TBD

Collab-Lab Types of Tools

Low Tech

• Sticky Notes

• Dry Erase Boards

• Butcher Block Paper

• Rulers

• Markers, highlighters, Pens, Pencils

High Tech

• Computers

• 3D Printers

• 3D Scanner

• Universal Printer/Engraver

• Oculus Rifts

• MediaScape Station

Collab-Lab: The Addition of Design Thinking

• Part of the brainstorming process

• Sparks creativity

• Generates desirable solutions• Student participation

• The Hatch

• Community inspiration

• Faculty innovation

Design Thinking Model

Empathize

Define

Ideate

Prototype

Test

Visioning Exercise-Problem Statement-How would you create a “Collab-Lab” at your institution?

Stakeholders: Collaborators:

Needs: Steps:

For more information, go tohttp://www.bgsu.edu/collablab

E-Mail: collablab@bgsu.edu

@bgcollablab

Questions?Thank you for participating on our session today.