News about California Community Colleges building makerspaces with support from the CCC Maker CCCCO grant under the Doing What Matters for Jobs and the Economy framework. 

Project Updates April 13, 2017
Recent CCC Maker project activities included:
21st Century Skills Training Held in March  

In addition to  the New World of Work training to prepare students for internships and employment, CCC Maker added sessions on digital badges  and design thinking. Participants  from Sierra College, Pasadena City College (PCC), Folsom Lake College, Glendale Community College, Moorpark College, Saddleback College, Palomar College and Alan Hancock College also toured the PCC Fab Lab. 
Regional Meet-ups  

The initiative held six regional meetings to encourage an exchange ideas and increase collaboration across districts. To build the CCC Maker Community of Practice across the state,  CCC Maker is establishing traditions such as making a small project during the session, touring a local makerspace and offering a gift made by students.

Inland Empire Meeting 
CCC Maker representatives from Mt San Jacinto, Moreno Valley and San Bernardino Community Colleges attended this meeting, hosted at the San Bernardino Community College District Offices. Through a Design Thinking process, participants identified unique opportunities, such as availability of dedicated space and existing mobile labs, as well as considered challenges, including a high percentage of part-time students. Read the summary of the Inland Empire Meet-up.

San Diego Meeting
San Diego Community College District hosted and participated in this meet-up that was also attended by representatives from  Alan Hancock Community, Palomar Community College and Mira Costa College.  They also toured FAB LAB San Diego. The Palomar team approached the planning from the student entrepreneurship and internship component, working backward into the makerspace requirements.  Read more about the meet-up in San Diego.
Mind Maps Used at CCSF  

City College of San Francisco used visual mind maps as a technique to collect ideas and build community among the makerspace planning team. Taking the results from previous research, a mind map was made for each discipline, explained Veronica Sanchez Casian. "We passed out the mind maps and asked faculty to add in anything that was missing to the existing maps," said Sanchez Casian. "First, they added current connections and then what might be planned. After that, they brainstormed what would be desirable and other possibilities."

Deborah Bird, TAP, CCC Maker, indicated that mind mapping can be very engaging. "It is a really powerful process to have everyone brainstorm and make the ideas visual through diagramming," said Bird. "It can help clarify concepts and show holistic thinking about the issue, as well as make sure that everyone understands the needs of other groups."

The mind maps also proved useful in adding connections to the college ecosystem map, according to Sanchez Casian. "The process helped us all get on the same page once everyone shared what they had added and it helped to build a sense of team/community in the project," said Sanchez Casian. "The experience really moved our planning process forward."
In the News  

Higher Education Makerspaces, Engaged Students, Hands-On-Skills, Interdisciplinary Connections in Learning by Design Spring 2017 by Mark Maves and Vincent Wilczynski pg. 16-19. "...we need to have a strong STEM/STEAM strategy in order to produce a strong workforce," said Van Ton-Quinlivan, vice chancellor of Workforce Development and Economic Development for California Community Colleges. We're increasing investments in strategies that can build those types of skillsets. So connecting community colleges into the Maker Movement is part of our InnovationMaker portfolio."
 
California colleges embrace maker culture to close skills gap  American Association of Community Colleges 21st Century Center  by Karen Fraser-Middleton & Carol Pepper-Kittredge March 16, 2017.   
Important Dates

April 14 - CCC Maker  Orange County Regional Meet-up at Saddleback College, Mission Viejo

May 16-17 -  3rd Annual Maker Educator Convening, hosted by Maker Ed in San Francisco - Registration is now open. A few seats are still available for CCC Maker Colleges.

May 17 - CCC Maker Implementation Plans due

May 19 - CCC Maker - Colleges meet to share implementation plans at College of San Mateo 
 
May 20 & 21 - CCC Maker Colleges can attend Maker Faire in San Mateo (suggest reserving accommodation early. Get tickets for Maker Faire.)

Details on these activities will be posted on the CCC Maker website events calendar.
Carol Pepper-Kittredge | CCC Maker | 916-660-7801 | Email Carol | CCC Maker Website

The CCC Maker initiative is funded by Grant # 16-203-001 awarded by the California Community College Chancellor'sOffice , Workforce and Economic Development Division, to Sierra Joint Community College District.
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