Take hands-on learning to the next level. Explore your creativity. Collaborate with others. Bring your ideas to light.
A makerspace is a workshop where you can collaborate with classmates or work independently to test theories, explore ideas, and gain real-world skills to power your career. Most of all, it's a place where you can work on fun projects outside of class.
The Gilmour Tinkertorium allows you to create ideas and bring them life using computers with design and creation software, 3D printers, a sublimation printer and heat presses, vinyl and paper cutting machines, and sewing and embroidery machines.
There's plenty of work space and a closet full of free supplies and materials for your projects.
The Logue Fabritorium is an ideal space for cutting wood and fabricating metal. From a scroll saw to a metal lathe, and much more, you can use hands-on techniques and tools to make something new or discover problems and solutions.
Due to the nature of the work, personal protective equipment may be required, including safety glasses, hearing protection, or dust masks.
"Makerspaces provide amazing opportunities to have fun and to learn from others. The range of projects going on in the makerspace in any given day is phenomenal—building a boomerang, sewing a blanket, carving a wooden spoon, welding a repair into a car transmission, customizing a shirt, machining parts for an RC boat, wiring a lightsaber, weaving a basket, 3D modeling a cell phone stand—all happening in the same place"
Kat Valentine
Manager of Makerspace Operations
Student
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
As an industrial design student, Caleb is comfortably at home in the Dr. Welch Workshop. Helping the college community execute their widespread creations, he’s assisted students and staff make everything from an electric guitar to a replica of Thor’s hammer. Meet Caleb and learn how he’s supporting makers at Penn College.
Student
Welding & Metal Fabrication
He transferred to Penn College and hasn't looked back since. Today he's a senior resident assistant, College Relations assistant, welding instructor at the Dr. Welch Workshop, and member of the student chapter of the American Welding Society.
"The students of Penn College have amazing clarity at a very young age. They come to hone their skills in dozens of majors across a dizzying number of fields. We hope the makerspace will forever add tremendous value to their futures."
Marshall Welch
"I’ve always been a tinkerer, and I’m lucky to have the resources to be able to share that passion with others. As an alum it is so important to share your own life experiences with students. The Makerspace creates a synergy within the learning community allowing student to student interaction, exploration, and collaboration. Having a place to go to experiment, to prove a concept or even fail in an effort, can be a priceless experience for students before moving into a hands-on career field."
Fred Gilmour '66, '72
"My parents were tinkerers, fabricators and artists. We were fortunate to grow up in a house where innovation was encouraged with wood and metal working tools, sewing machines and parents who taught us how to use them. When Penn College approached me about this project, I was on board right away because it is important that young adults have an opportunity to learn these life skills."
Herman Logue
The staff can teach you how to work with the tools and assist you with projects. Master tool safety, then use them any time the workshop is open. Training is available on-demand.
The Dr. Welch Workshop, located in Carl Building Technologies Center, Room 104, is free to Penn College students, faculty, and staff. Check the MyPCT portal for hours.
