Subscribe to our newsletter by emailUCI Libraries Seek to Establish a "Technology Sandbox" to Support Innovation
The Libraries are seeking to develop a "Technology Sandbox" service to promote creativity and expose students to technologies and tools that facilitate innovation and rapid product development. Experience with these next-gen tools will help students complete creative course assignments and projects while gaining the skills that they need to be competitive in tomorrow's workforce.
Sometimes called "makerspaces," similar services are a common trend in higher education and are a frequent focus of new academic library construction. These spaces and services enhance the ability of students and faculty to explore new technologies in their research and coursework. Such spaces frequently include access to 3D printing and scanning services and provide a variety of technology tools ranging from robotics to programming to "invention kits" which can be combined in unique ways to create original science, engineering, and art projects. Examples of some common tools include Arduino kits, Makey Makey Invention Kits, Raspberry Pi computers, and Lego Robotics. As students experiment with these tools, they develop skills that will be valuable in the workplace where many companies are increasingly using similar tools for rapid prototyping and iteration to speed up the product development cycle. The Libraries have chosen the term "Technology Sandbox" to capture the sense of creativity, experimentation, and play that occurs in such do-it-yourself makerspsaces.
While similar services are offered in various places on campus, use is sometimes restricted to individuals from within a given discipline, hours may be limited, or the spaces may not be in visible and accessible areas that naturally draw users from all disciplines. As a neutral and accessible space, the Libraries can foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and provide a level playing field for students and faculty from across campus to explore and collaborate. This broad exposure to technology, and its use in scholarship and industry, may be most beneficial to individuals in disciplines that have traditionally included less technology integration or individuals from demographic groups that have traditionally been less engaged with technology.
The "Technology Sandbox" service is a natural extension of the Libraries' Multimedia Resources Center (MRC), which is located in the Ayala Science Library. Currently, the MRC offers a video game lab and a presentation studio, as well as access to iPads, cameras and video cameras, sound recorders, and computers equipped for multimedia viewing and editing that students, faculty, and staff can use for research, projects, or course assignments.
The support of our partners and friends will be essential to the development of our "Technology Sandbox." Further development of these services will help the MRC serve as a focal point for collaboration and cross-disciplinary experimentation and innovation. Our ultimate goal is to help UCI's students succeed in the workplace and in graduate school by providing access to the tools and technologies that will be critical to stay competitive.
For more information on the "Technology Sandbox" service please contact Kevin Ruminson, Assistant University Librarian, Administrative Services at ruminson@uci.edu or 949-824-4440.