From September 2015 to March 2020, we hosted weekly maker jams at #MilieuxMake, a university makerspace located in the Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology at Concordia University. The purpose of the Maker Jams was to develop a community of makers and include novice makers in activities that our team of students was undertaking.

What were people doing when they joined our 5 à 7 maker jams?

A dynamic and informal get-together of tinkerers that gathered around ideas, challenges and projects. People could play and tinker with several technologies, such as Raspberry Pis, Arduinos, 3D printers, or bring their own. We fostered an inclusive safe space where people with little to advanced experience in making from all communities and identities could feel safe to take risks and learn something new together.

Who comes to the 5 à 7 Maker Jams?

Anybody in the university community who is curious about maker culture, or wishes to join our group either to develop expertise or share maker expertise towards social innovation. We’re not there to teach people how to code, to take 3D printing orders or to repair broken 3D printers. Instead we offer is a community atmosphere where we tinker together, solve problems and get to know each other.

#Milieux Make is wheelchair accessible.

We welcomed everyone, including any religion, backgrounds, and the LGBTQ community. We also loved when parents brought their kids and we usually had some snacks available.

This project was funded by the Faculty of Arts and Science, Concordia University, the Concordia University Research Chair in Maker Culture and the Milieux Institute.