APPROACH 1

Leverage creative capacity.

Our team was comprised of incredibly technical and creative individuals. So we asked ourselves, “How might we design a project that we could build remotely while still engaging our core audience?” We started by defining our roles in order to clearly visualize where we fit in the matrix to inform the project.

SOLUTION 1

The prototype and the promotion.

The collaboration resulted in a working prototype to pitch to the president of Sacramento City College and other stakeholders. We documented our work and posted the promo across social media accounts, which was now beautifully rebranded.

RESULT 1

From 2,000 to 10,000 sq. ft.

The VR project was the result of transforming what we thought was possible. Even with the limitations of the pandemic, our team created a project that was submitted as part of a proposal to expand Sac City’s makerspace and largely contributed to the approval of a new building for the space. The expansion included moving the current makerspace to a new building on campus, renovations, and staffing. 

CHALLENGE 2

Global Makers

In my second year as a Maker Fellow, I continued to build capacity for Sac City in a new way. Working with my Project Director and the Director of Global Studies, we partnered with an organization called Solar Education Project. Continuing to innovate new ways to incorporate project-based learning remotely, we saw an opportunity to work with SEP to educate students about sustainability, culture, and community on a global scale.

APPROACH 2

Connection and Collaboration

From our partnership with SEP, we connected with global makers from Kenya, Haiti, Lesotho, Italy, Mexico, and California. Makers from each location were passionate about solar cooking and its positive effects on community and the environment.

As lead storyteller on the project, I collected footage from each maker via WeTransfer. Our aim was to create a series of solar cooker tutorials to share with Sac City students in remote workshops and to encourage them to make their own solar cookers.

SOLUTION 2

In person and remote workshops.

Not only were students learning how to make solar cookers, they now had the opportunity to form relationships with passionate makers all around the world. 

RESULT 2

$5K for Solar Education Project.

The Center for Art and Public Life hosts the Impact Awards each year giving applicants an opportunity to win funding and mentorship for their impact project. By submitting a video about the Global Makers project, we were awarded $5K to continue supporting efforts that bring awareness about solar cooking to the world.