Rose-Hulman Creating Outdoor Makerspace

The effort

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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is turning a campus garden into a sustainability makerspace and an outdoor classroom. When complete, the space will feature renewable energy sources including solar-powered water-pumping and ventilation systems.

The effort, designed to teach students sustainability concepts and practices, is being supported by a grant from the SIA Foundation.

Rose-Hulman’s HERE program is leading the initiative. Program Director Jennifer Mueller Price says the outdoor makerspace will be a "living, growing educational environment" where students can see sustainability in practice. Vegetables from the 14 raised planting beds have been used by students and the school’s food service provider, Bon Appetit.

The school says mechanical and electrical engineering students will be able to apply techniques they learn in renewable energy technologies, while biology and civil and environment engineering courses can use the space as an additional campus lab. The outdoor classroom will also be available for area K-12 students and educators.