Young technical minds often look for opportunities to use current technology to tinker and create. This new generation of makers is hungry for knowledge in electronics, robotics and programming, which is why Rose-Hulman is bringing technical content creator Shawn Hymel to campus as its first Maker-In-Residence during a special Maker Week, March 11-15.

Hymel, a Rose-Hulman alumnus and former creative engineer with SparkFun Electronics, will present a series of workshops that allow Rose-Hulman students to learn new tools and materials to develop creative projects.

Topics being covered include an introduction to using Arduino microcontrollers for building robotics and digital devices; using Arduino and Python software programming for Internet of Things projects; applying the tiny and affordable Raspberry Pi computer to create interactive objects; and using soldering techniques to connect electronic circuits.

“Students need to be introduced to the simple technical skills that aren’t necessarily being taught in the classroom, but are essential to getting simple projects done. Once mastering those skills, they can make things that are really neat,” says Hymel, a 2006 computer engineering graduate.

In his return to campus, Hymel also will show students how they can use makerspaces in the new Kremer Innovation Center and nearby Branam Innovation Center to enhance their classroom experiences and explore their own interests in science, engineering and mathematics.

“I’m excited to see Rose-Hulman giving students the access to fabrication tools and other areas for great out-of-class educational experiences. That’s the beginning of creating a maker and tinkering mindset that’s going to help graduates in so many ways during their careers,” Hymel says.

Maker Week will also have Rose-Hulman hosting high school teams from throughout the country for multiple events. On March 15, the college hosts its fourth annual Autonomous Vehicle Challenge, followed by a fun-filled day of design projects March 16–“SPARK!”–for high school and college students. Find out more about the free SPARK! event at rose-hulman.edu/spark. The student registration deadline is March 9.

Maker Week is being sponsored by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, ROSE-BUD program, Kremer and Branam Innovation Centers, and Office of Academic Affairs’ Cross-Cutting Programs and Emerging Opportunities.