Mark Rober Explores MIT's "Maker Alley"

MARK ROBER MEETS MIT MAKERS COMMUNITY

Engineer, educator, and YouTuber Mark Rober, ‪@mit‬'s 2023 commencement speaker, engaged with students and researchers, exploring various labs and makerspaces in MIT Maker Alley.

‪@MarkRober‬ explored the creations of students from Professor David Wallace’s “2.00b Toy Product Design” class. He got hands-on with their prototypes, appreciating students’ ingenuity and craftsmanship while launching modular airplanes, connecting magnet blocks, or destroying towers with projectiles.

Mark then stopped by the MIT Glass Lab, a space where students learn the ancient art and craft of glassblowing. In the lab, Peter Houk, the artistic director, challenged Mark to a “Prince Rupert’s drop” experiment.

At the Metropolis makerspace, Mark interacted with students while touring the facility, which provides access to a woodshop, laser cutters, 3D printers, waterjet technology, electronics, and a CNC router. Metropolis, operated by ‪@MITProjectManus‬, is one of two MIT shops offering “MakerLodge,” an extracurricular training program that teaches making skills to MIT undergraduates. Experienced students lead the training sessions, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience with various ways of making.

During his visit, Mark met with MIT makers Cat Arase and Charles Yong, who conducted workshops during MIT’s Independent Activities Period (IAP). Supported by Project Manus and MIT MAD, Charles led a workshop on building engines, while Cat taught lamp welding and LED light design. These workshops fostered peer learning and encouraged students to explore the creation of engines from scratch or develop welding skills to design and build original lamps.

Video edited by Conor McArdle.