J.R. Logan's blog

MakeHaven Partnering with Gather New Haven to Launch a New Haven Eco-Entrepreneurship Creative Lab

The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory just announced the winners of Phase One in the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize, which supports grassroots innovation, community-centric networks, and ground-up solutions to accelerate climate and clean energy technology advancement alongside disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.

A Message About Racial Disparity at MakeHaven and What We Can Do

MakeHaven's reason for existence is to empower people through access to tools and learning, thereby affording them opportunities that otherwise would not be available. We are committed to having a membership that reflects all of the communities MakeHaven serves; one of the guiding principles of the organization is: “Our makerspace community is stronger when everyone is meaningfully involved and represented”.

Observations of a Makerspace Organizer at the Global Community Bio Summit.

Biology and biotech are exciting frontiers. As a makerspace I see it as our obligation to make exciting areas of technology more approachable by providing tools and experiences. For this reason our makerspace has been interested in becoming involved in the Community DIY Bio Movement.

Lots of Energy Around Solar Innovation

To be an inventor you have to believe you can make a difference. If you sit and look at it alone it can feel that there is nothing left to invent, or that all the technology is too advanced for a layman to contribute a significant innovation. Recently MakeHaven hosted an event that proves the people of New Haven are not deterred and can find lot of ways to innovate.

Community Animators, Ready to Rock and Roll

I am excited to announce that we have five enthusiastic volunteers to animate our community. 
 
What does it mean to be a Community Animator? It means they have each committed to being at MakeHaven 3 hours per week over the next 6 months to help people learn and inspire members to make the most of our space. Each has a focus area and will be a resource for actives in that focus. Let me make the introductions:

From left to right in the photo is: 

How-to: Holiday Grab Game

 

These are instructions on how to make a game called Holiday Grab. It is like the classic game of Operation but in this version you are carefully lifting ornaments of the tree and presents from under the tree. … You can think of it as pretending sneaking a peek at some presents without your parents waking up.

Soldering Workshop

Make Haven member Frank Pelliccio brought in his soldering equipment to and allowed members to try it out. We practiced by removing components from circut boards and learned about his experiences printing circuit boards and programing micro-controlers. The teaching was very useful. I had tried removing soldering before but this was the first time I had someone with so much experience there to give tips. 

Our Own Makerspace

I really enjoyed the energy of the first move in day at MakeHaven. The location is perfect and very welcoming to street traffic. I foresee the upstairs having a large open flexible area, a creative lounge and work areas for electronics, robotics, crafts, and the link. The basement is well setup for storage and some wood working equipment.

To capture the first day moving into the space my friend Kam used his time lapse camera to record the action.