Posted on Updated on

URI launches first Young Maker Summer Camps in Innovation Lab

MakerSpace Summer Camps start July 8 for ages 12–16

PUT YOUR STAMP ON SUMMER: URI is launching its first Young Maker Summer Camp program in the University’s Innovation Lab. The new MakerSpace Summer Camps start July 8 for ages 12–16. (URI Photos / Library Innovation Lab)

KINGSTON, R.I. – June 20, 2024 – Calling all young creators: the University of Rhode Island’s Library Innovation Lab is hosting MakerSpace Summer Camps in July and August for students ages 12 to 16, the first time a dedicated camp is being offered for middle and high school students in URI’s library MakerSpace.

Registration is now underway for the new summer camp, “where imagination becomes reality,” according to Keith Ranaldi, director of innovation and entrepreneurship in the URI library. He calls the MakerSpace (@makerspaceURI) a playground for creativity and curiosity. Located at the heart of the URI campus in the Carothers Library, students will be able to try all the creative equipment and produce objects of their own imagination to bring — or wear — home at camp’s end. The MakerSpace offers a full complement of tools and resources for students to explore; campers will learn new skills and connect with other students interested in making.

CUSTOMIZED: Middle and high school students can make their ideas a reality at URI’s MakerSpace Summer Camps. The MakerSpace inside the Carothers Library is open to URI students to create their own custom jewelry, artwork and products.

Campers can choose from three options for programs:

2D & 3D Design & Prototyping Camp, July 8 – 12
Explore 2D and 3D software and a variety of maker tools to transform ideas into reality.

Screen Printing & T-Shirt Making Camp August 13 – 16
A week-long camp for screen printing and t-shirt making.

Young Women in STEAM Camp August 19 – 23
An empowering STEAM camp for girls ages 12 to 16.

All camp days run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will pursue projects based on their own interests, build new skills, learn how their current interests can translate to future career paths, and gain experience working with others. Early registration is recommended as just 10 spots are available per session for the unique, hands-on camp designed to offer students fun, creativity and skill-building.

Instructors Seiji Abe and Ranaldi, both URI graduates, have a decade of experience designing and implementing makerspace programs across Rhode Island. Ranaldi, director of entrepreneurship and innovation for URI Innovation Library Labs and a member of the board of FabNewport, has a master’s degree in product innovation from Virginia Commonwealth University’s da Vinci Center. After returning to Rhode Island, he and Abe helped develop PVD Young Makers into a thriving program, offering learning opportunities for Providence’s youth in schools and public libraries. Ranaldi brings a focus on design thinking, social entrepreneurship, and the intersection of industry and academia, and now at URI is growing an ecosystem of opportunities for current and future students.

Prior to his role as assistant director of library technology spaces at URI, Abe spent eight years developing and operating makerspaces in K-12 schools, public libraries and universities. In addition, Abe has also helped pioneer hands-on, experiential learning opportunities across a wide variety of topics, settings and populations. He also worked at PVD Young Makers to bring new access and opportunities to underserved communities across Providence, developing makerspaces and programming across multiple sites throughout the city. Now at URI, Abe is working directly with students, faculty and partners to help make URI a center for university-level STE(A)M, maker and tech space learning.

Funds raised from the Young Makers camp will be used for equipment upgrades and to expand offerings for URI students.

To learn more, visit https://web.uri.edu/innovate/makerspaceuri