Beyond the Cover explores behind-the-scenes areas and topics at Binghamton University Libraries written by Michelle Chen ’27, Libraries’ communications student assistant.
Newly opened this year, the MakerLab on the third floor of Bartle Library offers students a space for research, creativity and collaboration. In addition to providing research assistance, the MakerLab serves as a welcoming environment for studying and hands-on learning.
MakerLab Coordinator Chungmin Park has been working to strengthen connections with departments that have traditionally had less involvement with the lab.
“We work with a wide range of departments and provide student assistants who help operate machines, manage files and analyze data,” said Park. “Tracking the submitted projects, we can see that we get projects from art majors, biology and biomedical engineering.”
As a technology-focused space, the MakerLab supports academic projects using advanced tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters, 3D scanners, vinyl cutters and virtual reality equipment. As long as a project is connected with a course, academic research or other scholarly work, students can submit a ticket and use the space to fabricate their designs. Projects that somehow integrate technology into the curriculum are especially encouraged but any project is welcome.
The MakerLab recently collaborated with an Entrepreneurship class, which focuses on developing business plans as part of its curriculum. Using a software program called Vizcom, students were introduced to the design process, transforming 2D sketches into 3D printable models. Park also served as a guest speaker for the class, guiding students through the technical and creative aspects of the process. He hopes to extend the MakerLab’s services to many majors to help as many students across campus.
“Our goal in this new space is to support all departments and help strengthen their projects,” said Park. “We also welcome student clubs, for example from Engineering or Aerospace, to reach out and discuss any project ideas they may have.”
Dominic Ho-Wu, a junior majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a student assistant at the MakerLab, described the space as open and welcoming. “It’s an open space where any student can come in, balancing studies or to explore 3D printing and laser cutting,” Ho-Wu said. “We’re academically driven and academically related and can service our general body people.”
Park has worked on several projects on the MakerLab this semester since it opened in August 2025 and has seen countless projects come to life. However, not all projects come without some challenges involving patience and creative problem solving.
“My favorite project I’ve worked on is a math-related one,” Park shared. “A professor wanted to create a 3D sphere as a visual example for his class using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, with calculated angles and shapes to form the sphere. The model took four days and 17 hours to complete. I was nervous, but I really enjoyed it, it was a fascinating project, and I had to adjust a lot of printer settings to get it right.”
The MakerLab is the place where students can take their ideas and turn them into something real. Whether they’re working on a class project or simply intrigued it is a great way for hands-on learning.
Learn more about the new MakerLab at binghamton.edu/libraries/about/locations/makerlab/ .