Meet Mel Wimborne, ENG Makerspace Workshop Manager
A Makerspace mainstay, Mel was there at its inception - joining UNSW in 2015 to help establish the first Makerspace on campus, the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre.
Published on the 02 August 2024
To the thousands of students and staff working in the Makerspace network - or even anyone who has curiously poked their head into the James N Kirby workshop on their way to Coffee on Campus - Mel’s is a familiar face.
A Makerspace mainstay, Mel was there at its inception - joining UNSW in 2015 to help establish the first Makerspace on campus, the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre.
Having previously run student workshops for the Architecture Faculty at The University of Sydney, Mel brought with her expertise in designing programs that created barrier-free access to tools and tech for university students.
Under her guidance, the Makerspace network has since grown to include three ENG Makerspaces housed within UNSW's Engineering Faculty, as well as an increasing number of workshops on campus adopting the Makerspace model of accessibility.
We caught up with Mel to discuss the value of project-based learning and discover more about what’s taking place across the Makerspace.
After almost a decade at UNSW, what keeps you motivated and engaged in your work?
Engineering students are the most selfless student group I have ever worked with. Whenever asked, they will all say they are pursuing a career in Engineering to help solve the wicked problems facing the planet. They are motivated to join student projects and learn as much as possible outside their designated courses.
What skills and experiences do you hope students will gain through their involvement in the Makerspaces?
Fearlessness when it comes to facing challenges. I hope these students will see the benefits of working collaboratively to solve problems, be their own advocates, and embrace new technology.
Seeing students running the equipment confidently to make cars, rockets, planes, assistive tech, do humanitarian work and outreach in schools – these are the most rewarding aspects of our work in the Makerspaces.
What do you think are the greatest challenges facing engineers in the coming years?
The reliance on Engineering solutions to mitigate climate change.
What changes have you noticed throughout your time at UNSW?
Project-based learning has been given a higher and higher priority since we opened in 2018. This has seen the evolution of Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs) allowing students to work across multiple years on a single project, the highest profile being Sunswift. The filter-down effect of this can be seen in the students' ambition to learn the skills and knowledge being employed in these complex and engaging projects.
What has been your most fulfilling achievement at UNSW to date?
The Makerspace Ambassador program is what I am most proud of. These students are our real partners – they tell us what new technology we should be investing in, and they drive the new directions in training and upskilling. These students not only get paid to be the face of the Makerspace program, but also meet all visiting Industry and philanthropic donors, and are always offered jobs way before they graduate. They also provide pastoral care to other students who wander into a Makerspace asking for help.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Engineers are the best people! They are driven by a desire to do good.
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